A screen capture from a new documentary, Sea Sick, about the algal bloom. Photo: Surfers for Climate
South Australia has signed off on a $28 million co-funded support package as a toxic algal bloom outbreak wreaks havoc with marine sea life and business.
The outbreak has been described by academics from five Australian universities as one of the worst marine disasters in living memory.
The SA government will match $14m from the Commonwealth with some support to roll out immediately.
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas described their reaction as “deliberately calibrated”, “targeted” and “comprehensive”.
“We stand ready to deliver additional support if and when it is needed,” he says.
Environment Minister Susan Close says government “recognises the widespread effects of the algal bloom”.
Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven says this support will provide immediate relief for those facing hardship.
SOUTHERN RANGER VISITS SITES
The state government says its patrol vessel Southern Ranger visited sites in the Gulf of St Vincent last week to inspect the damage.
Vision from underwater drones shows suspected signs of the algal bloom and rough seas reducing visibility to less than two metres in places.
The Southern Ranger visited the Zanoni shipwreck in the Upper Gulf St Vincent Marine Park with many of the sponges, cold water corals and other filter-feeding organisms clearly affected at the site, it says.
Around the Aldinga Reef and the Rapid Head sanctuary zones, many invertebrates, such as sponges and ascidians, still appeared to be healthy as they start to show signs of stress with white patches appearing in places.
SURFERS FOR CLIMATE RELEASE FILM
The Surfers for Climate charity group has released a 10-minute documentary, Sea Sick, on the algal bloom and wants the Federal Government to urgently reform outdated disaster laws.
The short film captures the experiences of those on the frontline dealing with the social, economic and ecological fallout.
“This is a natural disaster, driven by climate change, but under our current rules, it doesn’t even count,” said Josh Kirkman, CEO of Surfers for Climate.
“If the system can’t recognise what’s happening to our oceans, then the system needs to change.”
A massive algal bloom is choking SA waters, silencing surf breaks, stranding fishing boats at the dock as marine life (from stingrays to seals to leafy seadragons) wash up dead.
The group wants the federal government to update disaster criteria so climate-driven marine events can trigger natural disaster funding, declare a natural disaster now to unlock urgent funding, commit federal support for long-term ocean health and set a strong 2035 climate target.
FUNDED ACTION
- $8.5m to expand early detection of harmful algal bloom species via a coastal monitoring network comprising of buoys, satellite imagery and oceanographic modelling, and for early warning systems for industry.
- $2m on a new national testing laboratory in SA. Currently, samples are sent to New Zealand for analysis resulting in delays of up to a week.
- $3m on a rapid assessment of fish stocks and fisheries, including modelling the ecological impact on near-shore marine ecosystems and all sanctuary zones utilising remote underwater video and dive surveys.
- $2m on campaigns to rebuild public confidence, drive visitors to coastal regions and promote the seafood industry.
- $3m on a community fund for activities and small projects in affected communities.
- $1m to clean beaches of dead marine life.
- $10,000 grants to support eligible small businesses.
OTHER PLANS
- Rapid meta-analysis of citizen science records and documents on the ecological impacts.
- To create a harmful algal bloom response plan for the future.
- Set up a taskforce to meet every Thursday with a media conference to follow.
- Run public forums for affected coastal communities and set up a single point of communication to industry and the public such as a hotline, website and signs.
- Provide financial counselling, mental health support and workforce advice to small businesses and help manage financial and mental wellbeing.
Source: SA Government
