Overview

• Council crews are removing carcasses daily along more than 11 kilometres of Adelaide coastline, collecting 40 to 200 kilograms in a day and rotating staff due to the emotional toll.
• Citizen science reports have logged more than 30,000 dead animals across roughly 480 species since the outbreak began earlier this year.
• Researchers have detected multiple Karenia species, including K. mikimotoi, K. brevisulcata and K. longicanalis, yet culturing the organisms has proved difficult and toxin work is underway at New Zealand’s Cawthron Institute.
• Labs are investigating algae‑killing viruses, bentonite clays and filtering habitats as potential interventions, with scientists stressing ecological risks and the need for phased trials.
• State and federal authorities have committed about $28 million for cleanup and relief, with tourism support extending to small‑business grants and 20,000 travel vouchers ahead of the school holidays.