Startling vision shows state of SA marine ecosystem as toxic algae enters Port River
Never seen before underwater footage revealed a horror scene of total devastation as deadly algae bloom reduces pristine South Aussie ocean to dark ruins.
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Startling vision has revealed the true extent of the devastation the toxic algal bloom has wreaked on South Australia’s marine ecosystem, as experts warn the state’s oceans will “carry the scars” for years.
Underwater imagery provided by SA marine experts shows a marine ecosystem once teeming with life has been turned into a barren underwater wasteland, littered with dead and dying fish, coral and seagrass.
Great Southern Reef Foundation co-founder Stefan Andrews told The Advertiser he’d never seen a marine mortality event like the algal bloom before.
Mr Andrews is a marine biologist and diver, and has been documenting the algal bloom since March.
He said it’s “been really tough”, to witness the annihilation of an ecosystem he’s spent nearly a decade studying.
“It’s been gut-wrenching to see so many people encountering these species for the first time not through wonder, but through scenes of mass death and devastation,” he said.
“From what I’ve seen underwater, Edithburgh on the York Peninsula seems to be the most severely impacted area from the harmful algal bloom,” he said.
“The pylons of Edithburgh, which have been there for over 150 years have over time accumulated a highly diverse assemblage of these sessile invertebrates.”
“The pylons are now completely stripped of life.”
Diver Carl Charter shared a post to Facebook about a deceased dolphin he found at Marino on Tuesday, describing it as “absolutely heartbreaking”.
“There are no words strong enough for the sorrow and helplessness I felt standing there,” he said.
Mr Charter said he’d been pushed to the edge by what he had seen, and that “our oceans deserve better”.
“Enough is enough.”
“This is no longer a quiet tragedy, it’s a national disaster.”
Mr Charter urged the government to fund “long-term, science-led monitoring” and to implement “real solutions”.
“Provide mental health support for those bearing witness to this devastation,” Mr Charter said.
“Please don’t look away.”
An update issued by the Department for Environment and Water on Wednesday revealed water testing had confirmed elevated levels of the Karenia Mikimotoi algae along the metropolitan coastline, with “very high levels” at the Garden Island and Outer Harbor boat ramps, confirming the bloom had entered the Port River.
The Port River is home to the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, which is monitored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Flinders University.
The Department said there was not believed to be an immediate risk to the dolphins, but that investigations into potential risks were ongoing.
“State government agencies are taking weekly water samples at 17 sites across West Lakes, the Port River, the Patawalonga River and the end of four jetties at Largs Bay, Grange, Glenelg and Port Noarlunga,” they said in the update.
Mr Andrews said regions affected by the algae will “carry the scars” for years to come.
“It’s unlikely that places like Edithburgh will ever return to what they once were,” he said.
“In some areas, even after the green water disappears, strange things keep unfolding.”
“Divers have reported unusual behaviour in the few remaining species … large marine worms, normally hidden, seen foraging among dead fish, possibly accumulating toxins themselves.”
“Scavengers like crabs are missing.”
“There’s a haunting silence beneath the surface.”
Mr Andrews reported seeing hundreds of dead garfish in the area around Ardrossan jetty, a sight he said was “alarming”.
“So far we hadn’t really seen many of these species washed up.”
He said some areas had shown “resilience” against the algae, including around Kangaroo Island, where despite fish kills, the aquatic plants were surviving.
“Every dive there are plenty of surprises,” he said.
“One thing for sure is there’s not enough data being collected in terms of the underwater impacts.”
“We’ve already missed a lot of opportunities to learn from what’s been unfolding.”
On Thursday morning, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young shared her own grim experience, posting a photo of a dead dolphin on Seacliff beach on her Facebook page.
“This is an EMERGENCY,” she wrote.
“Our oceans and beaches are sick and dying.”
The Head of International Environment, Reef and Ocean Division from the federal Environment Department is in SA to assist the state government and report back to Environment Minister Murray Watt.
Senator Watt said he’d had “productive conversations” with state counterpart Susan Close, and dispatched the official to ensure he has the “best possible advice” on the algal bloom.
“While the science has made clear that there is no quick fix for the bloom, by having senior federal representatives on the ground we are supporting the SA government’s efforts with manpower, and ramping up our ongoing monitoring efforts,” he said.
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