SA’s current bloom of the micro-algae, Karenia mikimotoi, is decimating the state’s marine ecosystems, and particularly those in St Vincent’s Gulf and Spencer Gulf. The algal bloom first emerged around the Fleurieu Peninsula back in late March, and has now spread to blanket massive inshore sections of both gulfs. It affects fish of most varieties, molluscs, bivalve shellfish and popular crustaceans such as blue swimmer crabs and prawns. Even apex predators like great white sharks have been affected, with dozens stranding and dying on popular beaches since Easter time.
The algal bloom has had innumerable negative effects on coastal communities, especially those around Yorke Peninsula, which rely heavily on fishing-based tourism for their economic well-being. Empty caravan parks, deserted boat ramps and struggling local businesses are now a major concern as the bloom shows no sign of abating. Smelly, discoloured inshore water and beaches strewn with dead and dying marine life are keeping visiting anglers away in droves.
As you’d expect, all of this is having a substantial ripple effect on tackle stores, marine dealerships and even seafood outlets in Adelaide and regional centres. Despite assertions from SA’s Government health experts that fish caught on rod and reel or purchased from seafood markets are still safe to eat, the public is shying away `en masse. We are already seeing closures in the marine, fishing and fresh fish industries, many of which are likely to be permanent.
As the emergence of this insidious algae is apparently natural (the result of a deep-water ocean upwelling combined with post-flood outflow from the River Murray), there is nothing we can do to counter it. How much worse it may get, how long it will last and how long it will take our marine ecosystems to recover are questions we simply can’t answer. A combined support package of $28 million from State and Federal Governments has been approved to assist struggling businesses and to fund the massive beach clean-up effort. However, this is quite literally a drop in the ocean and a Band Aid fix for those who are directly affected.
Meanwhile, we all wait with baited breath as the disaster continues to unfold around us.
