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2w ago

Bioluminescent ‘Sea Sparkle’ Draws Crowds to Melbourne’s St Kilda Beach

Scientists describe the noctiluca bloom as natural, with rising ocean temperatures linked to its southward spread.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Rana Sajid Hussain/Pacific Press/Shutterstock (15467201bd) An attractive stunning view of the Bioluminescent Phenomenon Algae unpredictable and sudden appear at St. Kilda Beach in Melbourne, Australia. Bioluminescence is the emission of light during a chemiluminescence reaction by living organisms. Bioluminescence occurs in multifarious organisms ranging from marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi, microorganisms including some bioluminescent bacteria, dinoflagellates and terrestrial arthropods such as fireflies. In some animals, the light is bacteriogenic, produced by symbiotic bacteria such as those from the genus Vibrio; in others, it is autogenic, produced by the animals themselves. Stunning view of the Bioluminescent Phenomenon Algae, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - 01 Sep 2025
Bioluminescent algae at St. Kilda Beach in Melbourne, Australia.
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Overview

  • Marine biologist Richard Pensak of Earthcare St Kilda spotted a bright pink cloud on Sunday that signaled the noctiluca scintillans bloom now glowing after dark.
  • Hundreds have gathered along Port Phillip Bay to watch vivid blue trails ignite with each wave and splash.
  • The algae can elevate ammonia and deplete oxygen, which experts say may stress fish and disrupt local marine life.
  • Ecologists advise avoiding contact with eyes, mouths and other sensitive areas and recommend enjoying the spectacle from shore.
  • Researchers link more frequent and southerly occurrences to warmer waters and shifts in the East Australian Current, noting Tasmania’s largest bloom since 2015 earlier this year.