In Kep, No Swimming: Ministry

The Ministry of Environment has continued to warn residents and tourists in Kep province against swimming in the ocean until the end of the weekend despite the water’s appearing to return to normal after a potentially hazardous algae bloom dyed it a deep green over the weekend. According to a statement issued by the ministry yesterday, officials are continuing to monitor the water conditions.

“While the algae that turned the ocean water bright green in Kep province is almost gone and the situation of the seawater has returned to normal, the ministry urges the public and especially residents living along the beach in Kep province and also beach visitors to be careful and postpone swimming in the sea until the end of this week in order to prevent accidents,” the statement said.

It added that fishermen could continue fishing normally at a distance of about 500 meters offshore.

A ministry spokesman told Khmer Times that the weekend’s algae bloom was caused by high water temperatures brought on by the El Nino weather pattern.

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