Overview

• The toxic Karenia mikimotoi bloom, first detected off the Fleurieu Peninsula in March, now extends into Adelaide’s waterways and West Lakes, killing hundreds of marine species along South Australia’s coastline.
• Waves of dead fish, squid and protected species continue to wash up on metropolitan and regional beaches, turning popular coastlines into marine ‘graveyards’.
• Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young has launched an online petition, gathered thousands of signatures and formally urged Prime Minister Albanese to declare the crisis a federal disaster.
• Commercial fishermen report zero squid catches since April and face soaring costs, while industry veteran Michael Angelakis warns recovery will take years without financial aid comparable to farm drought relief.
• Federal authorities have yet to respond to requests for disaster status, leaving state-led recovery plans and inquiries as the primary government action against mounting fisheries and tourism losses.