In addition to discoloring and foaming the water in some areas, like the one in the photo, the harmful algal bloom in South Australia has affected some 400 types of fish and marine animals.
Photo: Government of South Australia.
The Australian Government announced that it will invest up to AUD 14 million to support the South Australian Government's efforts to both combat the effects of the harmful algal bloom (HAB) affecting the State's waters and to improve preparedness for future events. The amount equals that provided by the South Australian Government itself, which has contributed another AUD 14 million, bringing the total funding to AUD 28 million.
On its website - where updates on the HAB event are available -, the Government of South Australia has explained that the type of algae causing this specific algal bloom is the Karenia species, which, in addition to turning the water discolored and foamy in some areas, has affected some 400 types of fish and marine animals.
According to the provided information, experts have said that the current bloom in South Australia is believed to be caused by a mix of natural events, including a marine heatwave since September 2024, with water about 2.5°C warmer than normal; floodwaters from the River Murray in 2022–23, which brought extra nutrients into the sea; and a cold-water upwelling in summer 2023–24 lifting more nutrients to the surface.
For its part, through a joint statement from the Minister for Environment and Water, Murray Watt, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, which described this harmful algal bloom event as "devastating," Australia's Government pointed out that the federal funding was announced just one day after receiving the request from the South Australian Government.
Thus, the Minister for Environment and Water immediately travelled to Adelaide to meet with the Government of Australia and inspect the current outbreak. "The Albanese Government will continue to support the South Australian Government to address this extreme event," he said.
"While the science has made clear that there is no quick fix for algal blooms, we are committed to supporting the South Australian community, industry and the environment," Minister Watt continued. "This funding is an important investment in working with the State Government on the health and resilience of our oceans and coastal communities," he concluded.
As noted in the release, the devastating, serious environmental event now affecting South Australia is another example of what is happening as marine heatwaves and their impacts become more frequent. As a result, the Australian Government is working to better protect the ocean and the communities, industries, and species that depend on it.
In this particular case, the AUD 28 million in funding will focus on four priority areas: science and research, business assistance, community awareness and support, and clean-up efforts. As highlighted by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, both the Federal and South Australian Governments are working closely to support fishermen and aquaculture operators affected by this algal bloom.
"Immediate assistance is available to fishers and aquaculture operators experiencing financial hardship, including through the Rural Financial Counselling Service, which can provide free and confidential financial counselling," Julie Collins announced.
"The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation has recently invested in a new project to isolate the culture of the particular algae species currently affecting South Australia to better understand the toxic effects, develop rapid early-warning and detection methods and examine the toxin threats to seafood production," the Minister added.
Harmful algal blooms, however, are not unique to Australia. To give just a few examples, in November 2023, 1,500 metric tons of fish were lost in Chile due to a HAB event, to which, in early 2024, approximately 3,800 metric tons more were added. More recently, in May of this year, Norway was also affected, killing up to 1 million salmon, including 250,000 smolts.
HABs represent indeed a pressing global issue marked by a rise in frequency, scope, and impact, something that will be discussed at the 21st International Conference on Harmful Algae (ICHA) to be held in Chile in October, in what will be the largest international scientific meeting on harmful algal blooms.