GIS Closes Baltic Beaches Due to Cyanobacteria Blooms

The Chief Sanitary Inspectorate has raised red flags at several Baltic coastal locations due to extensive cyanobacteria blooms, advising bathers to monitor official maps for the latest safety updates.

Beach closures and changing conditions

On Friday, June 26, the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate reported that cyanobacteria blooms have forced the closure of beaches in Jastrzębia Góra (beach entrance 23), Władysławowo (beach entrance 9), Sopot (Łazienki Południowe I), Gdynia Śródmieście, and Krynica Morska (Bulwar Słoneczny 2).

Due to volatile atmospheric conditions, it remains difficult to predict where and when further blooms will emerge or how long they will persist. Public access to real-time safety data is available via the GIS digital map.

Identifying cyanobacteria risks

Dr. Justyna Kobos from the University of Gdańsk notes that cyanobacteria are present year-round, multiplying rapidly in the summer, especially when nutrient levels—particularly phosphates—are high. The blooms appear as thick, green, or greyish-blue gelatinous scums that often emit a musty or earthy odor.

Contact with contaminated water, whether through direct swimming or accidental ingestion, can lead to health complications including skin rashes, nausea, diarrhea, fever, muscle and joint pain, and eye irritation.

Heatwave and fire safety alerts

Poland is currently facing an extreme heatwave, with IMGW issuing the highest, third-degree alerts as temperatures threaten to reach 42 degrees Celsius. The Ministry of the Interior and Administration urges the public to remain vigilant and prioritize the safety of vulnerable groups.

Firefighters and forestry officials have increased monitoring across high-risk areas, as dry conditions heighten the danger of wildfires. Emergency services remain on high alert and have reiterated a strict warning against using open fire in forests.