Hopes bioluminescent algae will turn the tide on SA’s toxic bloom as Whyalla tourism operators reel
Glowing algae has been spotted in South Australian waters in a sign the tide could finally be turning against the toxic bloom – but tourism operators warn it could be “too late”.
SA News
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Bioluminescent algae has been detected in South Australian waters, in a sign the tide could finally be turning against the toxic bloom that has affected the state’s coast since at least March.
Ecologist Faith Coleman, who works with the Coorong Environment Trust, said Noctiluca scintillans – or Sea Sparkle – had been spotted along the south coast.
That algae is known to eat the Karenia mikimotoi algae species, which is responsible for the mass fish kills over the past four months.
The spotting comes as tens of thousands of cuttlefish gather in the Upper Spencer Gulf to reproduce.
Whyalla-based tour boat operator Matt Waller told The Advertiser despite the unfolding ecological disaster, cuttlefish numbers in the area were above average.
However, he said the community perception the cephalopods had been affected by the bloom was turning tourists away in droves.
“Every second phone call is, ‘oh I’m assuming there’s no cuttlefish because the algae has killed them all’,” Mr Waller, who runs Cuttys Glass Bottom Boat Tours, said.
“Given that 50 per cent of our phone calls for inquiry include the conversation of algal bloom, I would assume that 50 per cent of our customers aren’t coming because they assume … that the cuttlefish are all dead.”
While the cuttlefish are currently thriving, Mr Waller said if the algae was to make its way north, the consequences would be “absolutely diabolical”.
“I’m really worried for the future,” he said.
“The algal bloom may not make it to Spencer Gulf before the breeding season finishes and that’s fine, the cuttlefish will breed.
“But if it does appear up there anytime between now and October, it could kill all the eggs for this season.
“It could kill the baby cuttlefish the next year or the year after and that could be absolutely diabolical.”
Mr Waller said it was difficult to predict potential future impacts.
“We won’t know until it’s effectively way too late.”
His comments come as South Australian Senator Penny Wong weighed in on the algal bloom, saying the federal government “welcomed” the state government’s announcement of fee relief for fishers affected by the bloom.
“This is an extreme event, and like many South Australians, I’m deeply worried about the widespread marine life deaths we’re seeing,” Senator Wong said.
“These waters are part of our way of life and we all want to see them protected.”
The state government announced a $500,000 relief package on Tuesday to waive licence fees for commercial fishermen from April to June 2025.
Licence holders are also eligible for support grants of up to $1,500.
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