Overview
- An eight‑month UTS‑led investigation reports Karenia cristata likely produced the brevetoxins and was dominant for much of the bloom, with results undergoing peer review.
- Officials confirmed brevetoxins in South Australian waters in May, and health advice continues to urge people to avoid discoloured water and sea foam due to respiratory and skin irritation risks.
- K. cristata has only a handful of prior records globally (South Africa and Newfoundland), and scientists say its origin in Australia remains uncertain, warranting broader surveillance and testing.
- Researchers note the species appears to favour cooler waters of about 14–18°C, raising cautious optimism for easing conditions into summer as recent cell counts fell at some Adelaide jetties.
- Early focus on Karenia mikimotoi has shifted with new DNA and mass‑spectrometry analyses, and experts say management and human‑health responses may need adjustment as evidence is refined.