The South Australian government has announced that some of the harmful algal bloom affecting the state’s coastline and the Coorong has now spread to metropolitan beaches, alarming both beachgoers and scientists.
Over recent days, dead marine animals have been washing ashore along beaches in Adelaide, including Glenelg, Grange, and Semaphore. Marine biologist Mike Bossley, who has spent thousands of hours studying the coast, reported seeing species he has never encountered on the shore before.
“Different kinds of rays and sharks, lots of pipefish, and unusual species like ling I’ve never seen them washed up on the beach before. There are also many fish species I don’t even recognize,” he said.
The harmful algal bloom was triggered by a marine heatwave, which caused discolored water and foam in areas including the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula, and the Coorong. Since March, reports of surfers and swimmers falling ill after contact with the water have increased, alongside the mass strandings of dead marine creatures.
Environment Minister Susan Close confirmed that recent weather conditions contributed to the spread of the bloom and its impact on the metropolitan beaches, highlighting the ongoing environmental challenges facing the region.
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