Concerns about impact of algal bloom on South Australian businesses | 7.30

South Australia Algal Bloom Crisis: A Detailed Summary

Key Concepts:

• Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB): Specifically, karenia, a microalgae impacting marine life.
• Marine Mortalities: Death of marine animals due to the algal bloom.
• Nutrient Enrichment: High levels of nutrients fueling algal growth.
• Gulf St. Vincent: A key affected area with specific current patterns.
• Commercial Fishing Impact: Decline in catches and economic hardship for fishermen.
• Tourism Downturn: Reduced tourism due to the algal bloom's impact.
• Government Response: Criticism of slow initial response and financial assistance rollout.

1. The Algal Bloom and its Impact

• Unprecedented Bloom: South Australia is experiencing an unprecedented harmful algal bloom (HAB).
• Species: The specific microalgae identified is karenia.
• Impact Mechanism: Karenia impacts fish by:
  • Damaging/clogging gills, preventing proper breathing.
  • Depleting oxygen levels in the water as it decomposes.
• Marine Mortalities: Citizen scientists have reported over 31,000 marine mortalities since March.
• Council Efforts: Charles Sturt Council estimates it has collected two tons of dead fish and marine animals since late June.
• "Underwater Bushfire" Analogy: The bloom is described as an "underwater bushfire" due to its devastating impact.
• Lifeless Areas: Some coastal areas, once abundant with fish, now appear lifeless.

2. Causes and Contributing Factors

• Warmer Ocean Temperatures: A key factor fueling the bloom.
• Nutrient-Rich Conditions: High nutrient levels contribute to algal growth.
• Geography: The shallow and enclosed nature of the gulfs (Gulf St. Vincent and Spencer Gulf) allows the algae to persist.
• Current Patterns: Clockwise currents in Gulf St. Vincent act as a "conveyor belt," circulating the algae around the coast.

3. Impact on Commercial Fishing

• Significant Decline in Catches: Bart Butson, a commercial fisherman, notes a drastic decline in catches.
• Calamari Example: Normally, the fleet should have caught around 15 tons of calamari by this time of year, but they have only caught 24 kilos.
• Affected Species: Bart fishes for whiting, garfish, and squid in Gulf St. Vincent.
• Economic Viability: While some fish are still caught, the quantities are not commercially viable.
• Uncertain Future: Fishermen are uncertain about the future of their careers.

4. Tourism Impact

• Tourism Downturn: Damian Thomas, a caravan park manager in Edithburg, reports a downturn in tourism.
• Reduced Bookings: October long weekend bookings are significantly lower than usual (potentially not even 50% booked).
• Reason for Decline: Potential tourists are holding back to see how the algal bloom situation develops.

5. Government Response and Financial Assistance

• Criticism of Slow Response: The state and federal governments have been criticized for their slow response to the algal bloom.
• Senate Inquiry: A Senate inquiry is examining the rollout of financial support.
• Initial Forecasts: Initial forecasts from marine scientists predicted the bloom would dissipate during winter.
• Policy Shift: The failure of these forecasts led to a different policy response in July.
• $28 Million Assistance Package: $28 million in state and federal assistance is now available.
• Eligibility Criteria: Fishermen need to prove a 30% decline in catch over 3 months to receive an initial grant of $25,000.
• Concerns about Accessing Funds: Fishermen express concerns about the process of accessing the funds.

6. Public Health and Seafood Safety

• Beaches Remain Open: Public health advice indicates that beaches do not need to close.
• Irritant Potential: The algal bloom can be an irritant or affect asthmatics under certain circumstances.
• Seafood Safety: The government emphasizes that seafood consumption is perfectly safe.
• $478 Million Seafood Industry: The premier is concerned about the impact on the state's $478 million seafood industry.

7. Future Concerns

• Peak Season Concerns: Fishermen fear the bloom could worsen over the coming summer, which is their peak season.
• Business Survival: Businesses rely on income generated during the peak season to sustain them throughout the year.

Conclusion

The algal bloom in South Australia is a significant environmental and economic crisis. Fueled by warmer temperatures, nutrient-rich conditions, and exacerbated by the region's geography, the bloom has caused widespread marine mortalities, devastated commercial fishing, and negatively impacted tourism. While the government has provided financial assistance, concerns remain about the speed and effectiveness of the response, as well as the long-term impact on the region's economy and marine ecosystem. The future remains uncertain, particularly as the peak summer season approaches.