Popular Yorke Peninsula diving destination Edithburgh jetty rocked by toxic algae bloom

What would normally be an underwater paradise has become sickly green and dead as toxic algae lays waste to popular diving spot. See the video.

Shocking visuals of vibrant, colourful sponges and sea life turned brown, green and dull greys show just how toxic South Australia’s algae bloom is to the marine environment, laying waste to a popular tourist spot.

The Edithburgh jetty is a well known diving location for tourists, often an undersea paradise of life, but instead the aquamarine waters are a sickly green and the sea floor is littered with dead marine life.

The popular Edithburgh jetty before the algae bloom in South Australia. Picture: Stefan Andrews courtesy of Great Southern Reef Foundation

Edithburgh jetty has been devastated by a toxic algae bloom sweeping South Australia's coastline. Picture: Stefan Andrews courtesy of Great Southern Reef Foundation

What’s responsible for the marine horror show is toxic algae karenia mikimotoi which first washed up on the shores of the Fleurieu Peninsula in early March.

The bloom has spread further up the state’s coastline and onto the Yorke Peninsula, leaving behind thousands of dead fish, sharks, rays and other marine life in its wake.

Marine biologist Stefan Andrews captured the disturbing before and after footage of the Edithburgh jetty as part of his work for not-for-profit Great Southern Reef Foundation.

The foundation has been monitoring the declining marine conditions in South Australia over recent months, and more recently has created a survey initiative for the general public to highlight just how the bloom has affected them.

Marine biologist Stefan Andrews has filmed the dramatic impact SA’s algae bloom has had on a popular tourist spot. Picture: Richard Robinson/Greenpeace (2018)

Using the survey, the foundation hopes to not only highlight public concerns, but to send a message to Australia’s leaders and decision makers to encourage support.

Mr Andrews said since starting the survey there have already been 220 submissions.

Above the surface, the most recent industries to fall victim to the toxic algae have been recreational fishing and shellfish, with oyster farmers saying the $100m industry is on a knife edge.

Originally published as Popular Yorke Peninsula diving destination Edithburgh jetty rocked by toxic algae bloom