A toxic algal bloom spreading along South Australia's coastline has halted shellfish farming, devastated marine life, and prompted opposition leaders to call for a royal commission into the ecological and economic fallout.
Daniel Keane and Thomas Kelsall report for ABC News.
In short:
- Mussel farms near Port Lincoln have been shut down after shellfish toxins were detected, with the government citing climate change as the likely cause of the bloom.
- Commercial fishers say the state's $500,000 relief package is inadequate, as income losses deepen and some shellfish sites remain closed after more than 70 days.
- The opposition is demanding a royal commission to investigate the cause of the Karenia mikimotoi bloom and its long-term impact on fisheries, tourism, and local communities.
Key quote:
"Stansbury is ground zero. We’re 70 days in now — 70 days — and we need some help, help now."
— Andrew Pisani, commercial fisherman
Why this matters:
Toxic algal blooms can devastate coastal ecosystems and economies. In South Australia, the bloom has killed sea life, crippled the shellfish industry, and forced harvesting shutdowns due to dangerous brevetoxins, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms if consumed. These outbreaks are often linked to warming waters, nutrient runoff, and ocean stratification — all tied to climate change. As blooms spread and last longer, they not only imperil food safety but also threaten the livelihoods of fishers, aquaculture workers, and tourism operators.
Read more: Toxic algae are killing wildlife and transforming natural water systems around the world
