Toxic Algae Bloom Decimates Marine Life Off South Australia

Baasma Wafa  Jadetimes Staff

B. Wafa is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Australia

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Image Source: Treasure Coast

A massive toxic algae bloom along South Australia's coast prompted the worst marine die-off on record, killing more than 200 species, scientists call one of the worst such ecological disasters in the region in recent history.

First seen in the early days of March, the bloom has now covered an estimated 4,500 square kilometers—about the area of Kangaroo Island. Sea experts report that the algae, which grows in warm, nutrient-rich seas, is releasing highly toxic substances that are stealing oxygen from the sea and injuring the gills and tissues of marine life.

This is not just an algal bloom. It's a biological catastrophe," said Dr. Vanessa Pirotta, a wildlife scientist monitoring the event. "We're seeing mass suffocation of marine animals on a scale we've never seen in this area.

The bloom's effect has been starkly evident. South Australia's beaches have been strewn with the bodies of fish, rays, crabs, and even sharks. Perhaps the most vivid example was the sighting of a three-metre great white shark found on the beach, its body exhibiting signs of internal hemorrhage associated with exposure to toxins.

Reef animals, such as pufferfish and small crustaceans, have been particularly at risk because of their limited mobility. Conservationists likened the view to "a horror movie for fish," as bright-red dead rays and sharks were signs of extreme hemorrhaging.

Although the algae is not toxic to people, authorities are cautioning people against swimming in discolored or foamy water, because long-term exposure can lead to skin or respiratory irritation.

Researchers are confident that the bloom's strength and duration are connected to ocean heatwaves, with sea temperatures in the area currently 2.5°C higher than usual. As the bloom moves to the west, scientists are coordinating with fisheries and local communities to track conditions and prevent further harm to the ecosystem.