Tasmania's south-east coast 'glows' with bioluminescent algae, pointing to imbalance in marine ecosystem

A bioluminescent algae that appears pinkish-red in the day and glows blue when disturbed has appeared across Tasmania's south-eastern coastline.

The region is a hotspot for Noctiluca scintillans — a type of bioluminescent algae that appears red in the day and glows an extraordinary blue at night — which is experiencing its biggest "bloom" in almost a decade.

It's a beautiful natural occurrence, but biologist and jellyfish expert Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin says it is also an environmental red flag.

"At night, you just get these fabulous displays of the bioluminescence that take your breath away. They're so beautiful," Dr Gershwin said.

Hobart-based biologist Lisa-ann Gershwin says the algal blooms can harm the ecosystem in several ways. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke )

Tasmania's south-east coast recently experienced blooms of small jelly-like creatures called "salps", caused by an abundance of phytoplankton from agricultural and aquacultural processes, such as fish farms.

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