Overview

• The bloom, first detected in March, remains widespread across Adelaide’s waterways, the Spencer Gulf and Kangaroo Island as of mid-July.
• On July 15, the South Australian government declared the event a natural disaster and established a dedicated PIRSA-led taskforce for recovery efforts.
• Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says Canberra is monitoring closely but cannot control the bloom and has yet to approve disaster assistance despite Greens demands for a national response.
• Tens of thousands of fish and marine animals have died, disrupting fisheries and local aquaculture along hundreds of kilometres of coastline.
• SA Health warns that airborne algal particles in sea spray can cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation and that long-term risks are under investigation.