Panaji, Dec 10 (IANS): The emergence of noctiluca blooms, commonly referred to as bioluminescence, along Goa's beaches is a cause for worry because the phenomenon could lead to scarcity of fish off the state's coast, Sunil Kumar Singh, Director, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), said on Thursday.

"This situation is of course serious," Singh said while referring to the blooms, when he was asked about the possibilities of a fish famine off Goa's coastline.

"Noctiluca blooms are not good for fisheries, because they consume most of the oxygen. They do not allow zooplankton (common fish fodder) to develop, which is important for fish. Without these zooplanktons, the fish will die," Singh said.

Singh heads the NIO which functions under the aegis of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, a central government body.

Sightings of bioluminescence have been reported along some of the beaches in the state, as well as along the Konkan belt over the last one week. Marine scientists have already warned of a likely fish famine in Goa on account of overkill of fish for export and to cater to the hospitality industry in the tourism-oriented state.