MARATHON — A confirmed blue-green algae bloom at a public beach in Pukaskwa National Park is a first for that area, according to public health officials.

On Aug. 15, the Thunder Bay District Health Unit advised of the bloom at Hattie Cove in Pukaskwa. Public health inspector Matt Bradica said it was found at the public beach and observed on Aug. 6 and Aug. 11. Because it was found in a national park, Parks Canada took a sample collected on Aug. 11 to the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for testing; the health unit was subsequently notified on Friday when the results came back positive, he said.

Bradica said the health unit’s records show it’s the first confirmed cyanobacteria bloom at that site.

“This is the first time we've seen it, it's not often we have blue-g

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