‘Unprecedented’ algae bloom disaster making SA beaches toxic here to stay, experts claim

Scientists have offered a grim outlook for Aussies hoping for an immediate solution to an ‘unprecedented’ disaster leaving the water at Aussie beaches toxic.

An ‘unprecedented’ natural disaster that has killed thousands of marine creatures, sparked orders to stay out of the water, and gutted parts of the local tourism sector has scientists alarmed, with no sign of an end in sight.

The Algae bloom parked up just off the coast of South Australia has persistently held its position inside the St Vincent Gulf since it was first officially reported in March, after visitors of the Waitpinga Beach on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula began reporting illness.

The toxic bloom has killed hundreds of sea creatures, caused illness in humans and sparked orders for swimmers to stay out of affected water.
Estimates vary on how many creatures have been killed by the bloom, but it is understood there have been recorded deaths among more than 200 different species of sea life.

Even more alarmingly, there doesn’t seem to be any respite in sight.

Snapshot of Chlorophyll-A concentrations around the South Australian coastline on July 23. Source: Integrated Marine Observing System

Dr Nina Wootton, a Marine Scientist from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Adelaide, said tracking the outbreak of the Algae bloom was difficult, but it could have something to do with the Murray River flooding in 2022/23.

“Obviously there’s a lot of run-off that goes into the Murray, and then this has potentially pushed some of these algae species out into the marine environment, and it’s sort of just been sitting there dormant. And then when we see perfect conditions arise, it can then bloom,” she told NewsWire.

“Somehow this species has gotten there, and then we have a range of different environmental factors that have caused this perfect storm of events,” she said.

“When things are hot and still, (the algae) grow, and this species has just boomed because there’s been nothing there to break it up naturally.”

Fatalities have been recorded among more than 200 marine species as the toxic algae bloom shows no signs of disappearing any time soon. Picture: Supplied

Although millions of dollars have been committed to clean up and research, Dr Wootton said the cure was ultimately in the hands of mother nature.

“The thing that’s so hard is there’s not really a solution to get rid of this bloom,” Dr Wootton said.

“The main way we’re going to be able to do it is hopefully cross our fingers and toes that we have good weather conditions and we have some strong winter storms over the next couple of months that will break it up and eventually blow it off the coast. That’s all we can really hope for now … to get rid of it naturally at least,” she said.

“It could be up to 18 months. Some scientists are predicting that we’re going to continue to see deaths of animals for up to 18 months if we don’t have these winter storms breaking it up.”

University of Adelaide Microbial Ecologist Dr Christopher Keneally said even though “you can’t really see them,” algae blooms can have serious impacts on wildlife, and can even affect humans.

The toxic algae bloom is impacting the waters around the Southern Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island, with locals reporting painful symptoms, including sore eyes, shortness of breath and skin irritations.

Dead sea life has been spotted washed up at West Beach, despite hopes cold weather would put a stop to the toxic algae bloom. Picture: SharkWatch SA Facebook

“Algae blooms have a massive impact on fish … they concentrate toxins – especially into shellfish – and cause a lot of damage,” he said.

“It’s not as much of a problem for mammals like dolphins and human beings … but people in southern Australia have been noticing that there’s a bit of eye irritation and throat and lung irritation that happens when they go out into the water when there’s an algae bloom happening.”

Dr Keneally stressed while we don’t hear about it often, events like this are “similar to a bushfire or other environmental catastrophes”.

“It can be quite scary when something like this happens, especially when you don’t know what to expect … getting people used to the idea of it potentially happening in their own coastal waters is important when it comes to awareness.”

“The rapid mobilisation of Australia’s research is going to be really important to forecasting these things and looking at mitigation in the future … we need to take action, or otherwise these things are going to become the new normal.”

Dead sea life from algal blooms at Foul Bay, Yorke Peninsula. Picture: Stefan Andrews courtesy Great Southern Reef Foundation

Shadow Water, Fisheries and Forestry and Emergency Management Minister Ross Cadell spoke to ABC Radio earlier this week about the emotional and economic impacts of algal blooms on local communities.

“You walk along the Ardrossan wharf and see garfish and King George whiting on the ground dying,” he said.

“You talk to the businesses and the Port Vincent gift shop is down (in sales) 15 per cent.

“The Stansbury caravan park, in the 48 hours before I got there, (had) 10-12 cancellations of November holidays because people are fearful of going in the water.”

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas announced the Commonwealth government had provided a $14 million care package to South Australia which “covers industry support, science and research, communications, community support and clean-up”.

“I want to thank the Commonwealth for their contribution … towards this effort,” he said

“We stand ready to deliver additional support if and when it is needed.”

Originally published as ‘Unprecedented’ algae bloom disaster making SA beaches toxic here to stay, experts claim