Latest news with #PIRSA
7NEWS
6 days ago
- Business
- 7NEWS
South Australia's Coorong at risk as algae outbreak puts fragile ecosystem on the brink
The toxic algae bloom that has plagued South Australian coastlines since March has, 'unfortunately,' made its way into one of the state's most fragile ecosystems — the Coorong. Last week's powerful storm surge was initially welcomed, with hopes it would push cold, salty ocean water onto the shore to disrupt the bloom of the toxic micro-algae karenia mikimotoi algae. However, those same strong currents instead drove the algae back up the Murray River at Goolwa, entering the Coorong through the Murray Mouth — where the river meets the Southern Ocean. With ongoing drought conditions and tidal influences, the algae has now found an ideal environment in which it may be impossible to remove. Previously responsible for murky waters and thick sea foam along the Fleurieu Peninsula, Karenia mikimotoi is also suspected to be linked to the recent deaths of several sharks on Adelaide beaches. Ecologist and Coorong Environmental Trustee Faith Coleman expressed grave concern about the algae's intrusion into the Coorong's intricate ecosystem. 'Unfortunately, that amazing storm tide managed to push the Karenia straight into the northern lagoon of the Coorong, where it is blooming quite happily,' she said. 'Because of the unique nature of coastal lagoons, once something gets in, it rarely gets out.' The algae has now established itself in a 'sweet spot' at the end of the northern lagoon, where conditions — including high salinity, warm temperatures, and stagnant water — are perfect for it to thrive. Up to two metres of decomposing marine life, described as 'worm soup,' has already been found, with dead tubeworms and larvae washing ashore. Experts warn this could disrupt the already delicate food chain in the area. 'Many of the small organisms at the base of the food chain — those vital to shorebirds and fish — are now washing up dead,' Coleman said. 'There isn't anything that lives or grows in the water of the Coorong that is safe from this.' Local fisherman Glen Hill, owner of Coorong Wild Seafood, said the situation could devastate the region's fishing industry. 'I've bashed my head against the side of the chiller in frustration. I've cried my eyes out,' Hill told 7NEWS. 'If we lose the bottom of the food chain, what do the fish eat? 'Potentially, we could lose everything.' The storm system also stirred up sediment and, combined with the lack of fresh water, has spiked salinity levels in the Coorong. This has led to further environmental stress, with fish such as mullet, mulloway, and bony bream suffering visible gill damage — likely caused by the increasingly toxic conditions. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) confirmed they are investigating recent fish deaths but have not yet officially linked them to Karenia mikimotoi. 'We continue to work with other relevant government agencies on the current Karenia species algal bloom and associated fish deaths that have been occurring in South Australian waters since March,' a PIRSA spokesperson said in a statement to 7NEWS. Investigations are underway into reports of a bony bream fish kill in Woods Well Bay and a polychaete worm die-off near Long Point. Water samples have been collected and results are pending. 'Our role is to investigate any infectious or notifiable animal diseases that may have caused the fish deaths,' PIRSA said. The Department for Environment and Water (DEW) also confirmed the algae's entry into the Coorong was a known risk — and that any intervention, such as opening the barrages to flush water, could worsen the situation. 'The Coorong is open to the sea via the Murray Mouth and cannot be closed off from the ocean,' a DEW spokesperson said. 'During adverse weather and high tides, SA Water operates the barrages to minimise seawater entering Lake Alexandrina and to limit salinity impacts from reverse flows.' They added that although the tide pushed the algae in, the Coorong's natural connection to the Murray Mouth meant this could not be prevented. 'Pushing more water through the barrages to try to flush out the algae is unlikely to be effective and could risk spreading the bloom further south,' the spokesperson said. DEW confirmed it will continue monitoring the Coorong's northern lagoon and reaffirmed the State Government's commitment to protecting the area's ecological health. In the meantime, PIRSA and SA Health have advised the public not to collect or eat any dead or dying fish or marine organisms found along the shore. To report unusual sightings of fish kills or affected marine life, residents are urged to contact FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522. Concerns about water quality can be reported to the EPA at 1800 623 445 or by emailing yourepa@
7NEWS
22-05-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Oyster industry appeals for seafood lovers to return as toxic algae scares off customers
The rare toxic algae outbreak plaguing South Australian beaches on the Fleurieu Peninsula has had a knock-on effect on the state's $60 million oyster industry. Farms at Coffin Bay and Cowell on the Eyre Peninsula, and farms on the West Coast at Streaky Bay, Smoky Bay and Denial Bay are all seeing a downturn in customers even though they remain unaffected by the algae. The South Australian Oyster Growers Association (SAOGA) said in a media release that oysters harvested from unaffected areas across the state are safe to eat, with only a handful of oyster farms temporarily closed due to a separate brevetoxin bloom — not linked to the micro-algae karenia mikimotoi bloom. SAOGA chairperson Peter Treloar said the industry has been working with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) following the closure of a handful of oyster farms. 'We have been working closely with PIRSA and give our full support to a precautionary closure of nine oyster farms in the confined growing regions of Stansbury, American River and Port Vincent,' he said. 'South Australian oyster growers remain compliant with strict government food safety standards which are heavily monitored on an ongoing basis to not only protect consumers but the product as well. 'All oysters harvested and sold commercially in SA undergo rigorous testing and quality control to meet national food safety standards. 'Consumers can be assured our growers take food safety very seriously and work closely with reputable suppliers who source from monitored regions.' The micro-algae karenia mikimotoi is causing the seafoam affecting beaches across the Fleurieu Peninsula as South Australian waters remain unseasonably warm. The foam — likened by some to the froth on a milkshake — and its effects were first noticed by surfers at Waitpinga, about 100km from Adelaide, on March 15, with the EPA reporting the algae has since been found on beaches from Cape Jervis to Encounter Bay. Beachgoers and swimmers along the southern coast are being reminded to stay clear of water that may be discoloured or have the foam present. If any contact is made, people are advised to wash themselves in fresh water. SAOGA wants people to continue support the industry and purchasing from local farms, but said people should only buy from 'reputable' retailers. 'We are encouraging buyers to continue to support local growers by purchasing SA oysters from reputable seafood retailers and restaurants,' Treloar said. 'SAOGA is committed to supporting its growers as PIRSA continues to monitor the small number of SA oyster farms temporarily closed, as a precautionary measure by the bloom.'
7NEWS
14-05-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
Death of sharks on Adelaide beaches remains a mystery as algae bloom plagues sea life
Researchers have been left scratching their heads at autopsy results from recent shark deaths on South Australian coastlines. Sharks that washed ashore in recent weeks have been taken by the Department of Primary Industry and Regions (PIRSA) officials to be examined and determine their cause of deaths. Autopsies have been done on both a great white shark that washed ashore on Henley Beach and another found at Port Willinga. But the research returned 'inconclusive' results. Since March, a toxic algae bloom has been appearing along South Australian coastlines and causing sealife to wash up on beaches. The micro-algae karenia mikimotoi is causing the seafoam along and murky water across South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula. The foam — likened by some to the froth on a milkshake — and its effects were first noticed by surfers at Waitpinga, about 100km from Adelaide, on March 15. The EPA reported the algae has since been found on beaches from Cape Jervis to Encounter Bay. A spokesperson from PIRSA said research will continue into the loss of sea life. 'Researchers from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), the research division of PIRSA, are continuing to investigate into the series of deaths of sharks around the South Australian coastline,' they told 7NEWS. 'A necropsy was performed on the White Shark retrieved from Henley Beach on 5 May 2025 but unfortunately, there were no conclusive histological findings to explain what caused its death. 'Extensive analysis and necropsies were also conducted on two White Sharks found by members of the public at Port Willunga and Port Moorowie last month, but unfortunately due to the age of the biological samples available a definitive cause of death was unable to be determined. 'The samples of all carcasses collected to date will be used for future scientific studies and help to improve our understanding of the White Shark population in South Australia.' Beachgoers and swimmers along the Southern Coast are being reminded to stay clear of water that may be discoloured or have the foam present. If any contact is made, people are advised to wash themselves in fresh water. Human exposure, including through breathing in algae particles, can cause respiratory and eye irritation or skin rashes in some people, while ingestion could cause stomach upsets or flu-like symptoms. PIRSA would also like to inform the public that sharks sighted more than 500 metres from shore and greater than three metres in length can also be reported via the 24-hour Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 065 522 or via the shark sighting report form. If a shark is spotted within 500 metres of shore or presents an immediate threat to humans, police should be contacted.
ABC News
07-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Toxin caused by algae forces quarantine of oysters on Yorke Peninsula
Health authorities have detected a waterborne toxin off Yorke Peninsula that has forced at least six oyster farms to temporarily shut and quarantine up to 10 million oysters. Reports emerged overnight that the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) tested the waters at Oyster Bay in Stansbury last week and returned positive readings for brevetoxins which are produced by several species of karenia algae. A PIRSA spokesperson said the department was still testing the samples and that "harvesting areas are often temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to ensure food safety standards are upheld." A karenia algae bloom, believed to be caused by higher sea temperatures, has caused hundreds of dead marine life to wash up on SA shores over the past month. Costly losses Farmers using Oyster Bay have voluntarily cordoned off their sites, according to Pacific Estate Oysters owner Steve Bowley, who said he was awaiting further health advice from PIRSA. The Pacific Estate oyster farm at Oyster Bay in Stansbury is under quarantine. ( Supplied: Steve Bowley ) "We don't have any experience with this particular waterborne virus so we've temporarily closed the bay as a precautionary measure whilst we work out what's happening," Mr Bowley said. "It means we can't sell any oysters out of the bay and if we wanted to transfer oysters to another bay … we need to get government permission to do that." Mr Bowley said he was worried about losing "half a million dollars' worth of stock". "We're not happy of course, but we would rather sell good oysters rather than them come back because people suddenly became sick," he said. Climate change potential cause Environment Minister Susan Close said rising temperatures caused by climate change likely played a role in the algae bloom that covered an area "not far off the size of Kangaroo Island". Susan Close says a change in weather is needed to break up the bloom. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) "This is where nature is more powerful than we are, and the only thing that's going to break this algal bloom up is a change in the weather and strong westerly winds," Ms Close said. "Normally we get that at the end of April and that hasn't happened yet. We need a big change in the weather to break this thing up." Estuarine ecologist Faith Coleman said the toxins could have been caused by "six or seven" karenia variants. "This one has developed into one of the more toxic species," Ms Coleman said. "They develop toxins to protect themselves and to prevent other things from growing around them. "We believe they do it to reduce grazing pressure on themselves." It is unclear how long the affected oyster farms will be closed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Pretty sick': Horror find on popular beach
Another great white shark has washed up on a popular South Australian beach, the fourth shark to appear on the shore in the span of a few weeks. Beachgoers saw the shark in distress in the shallows of Henley Beach in Adelaide and tried to keep the animal alive by jumping into the water. In an online statement, Shark Watch SA said 'the shark was safely moved into deeper water, briefly swimming away on its last strides of strength before being carried to the shoreline by the waves into its final resting position'. The shark was then 'carried off by PIRSA Fisheries officers', the statement read. Witness Antonio Rositano told 9News the shark was 'struggling' as it tried to hold on for life on the sand. 'It was rolling around, its belly was up, it looked like it was pretty sick,' he said. Despite best efforts form the public, the shark died on the beach. The death comes weeks after other sharks were found washed up on the shores of Ardrossan, Aldinga and Port Willunga beaches in South Australia. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) will investigate the cause of the sharks' deaths. In mid-March, beachgoers were warned to stay out of the water in some South Australian beaches, as a toxic algae bloom left hundreds of surfers feeling sick and killed scores of sea life, including octopuses, fish and seahorses. The state's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said at the time the algae bloom was likely 'due to a microalgal bloom that has been driven by hot temperatures and still water and an ongoing marine heatwave, with temperatures currently 2.5C warmer than usual, with little wind and small swell contributing to conditions'. The EPA and PIRSA have been contacted for comment.
