A common, non-toxic green algae has been identified in samples taken from the head of Forest Pond near Salmon Cove according to DFO.

Last week, area residents started raising the alarm about discolouration of the water in the pond which feeds into the scheduled Salmon Cove River and through Salmon Cove Sands, one of the province’s most popular beaches.

DFO testing of samples shows the green algae was the major component in the algal bloom, with some blue-green algae also present in some of the samples. That presence was not dominant says the federal department.

The fish found floating dead in the water were killed by a lack of oxygen in the water caused by the algae bloom, according to Fisheries and Oceans.

Further samples were taken by provincial government officials, the results of which are expected to soon be made known.