WINDS BLOW AWAY ACCUMULATIONS OF ALGAE OFF ISTRIAN COASTLINE

PULA, Aug 18 (Hina) - Last weekend's change of weather helped in cleansing the sea along the coastline of the northern Adriatic peninsula of Istria of huge accumulations of algae which appeared on the water's surface about a week and a half ago. Members of the coast police and the Pula port authority office ascertained that north-eastern winds "blew away" the algae back to the open sea. Over the weekend, the Istria County police patrolled the coastline and reported that smaller patches of algae could be seen at only two spots 300 metres offshore - near Porec and Rovinj. The public relations office of the Istria County said in a statement on Monday that the so called "sea blooming" would be kept under watch, and that sea cleansing equipment would be used if necessary. (hina) ha jn 182131 MET aug 97