Latest news with #PeterMalinauskas
News18
3 hours ago
- Climate
- News18
Australia's Algal Bloom Declared ‘Natural Disaster': What's Behind The Toxic Sea Crisis?
Last Updated: A massive algal bloom off South Australia's coast has turned the sea toxic, killing over 400 marine species and devastating local industries. A massive algal bloom off the South Australian coast has turned vast stretches of sea into a toxic green soup, killing marine life by the thousands and devastating local industries. Here's what we know. What Is An Algal Bloom? An algal bloom is a rapid and often toxic increase in algae population in a water body. While algae are a natural part of marine ecosystems, in excessive quantities they can deplete oxygen, block sunlight and release toxins- thus turning the water harmful for both marine creatures and humans. In this case, the algal bloom stretches from Coorong to the Yorke Peninsula, spanning an area twice the size of the Australian Capital Territory. How Bad Is The Crisis In Australia? So far, the bloom has reportedly killed over 400 species of marine life, including large numbers of fish, shellfish and other coastal organisms. Beaches have been lined with rotting carcasses and the normally pristine waters have taken on a sickly green hue. What's Causing Algal Bloom In Australia? Experts have said that the crisis is being driven by climate change, which has led to a combination of rising sea temperatures, excess nutrient runoff from agriculture and urban sources as well as prolonged drought conditions. These factors have created ideal conditions for algae to multiply rapidly. Yes, at the state level. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas declared the bloom a 'natural disaster" and criticized the federal government for hesitating to do the same. He said, 'This is a natural disaster and should be acknowledged as such. I think politicians do themselves a disservice when they get caught up in technicalities." The federal government has committed AUD $14 million for relief- including clean-up, research and support for affected industries. The South Australian government matched that funding, bringing the total response package to AUD $28 million. However, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has so far refused to classify the event as a natural disaster. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Toxic algae bloom off South Australia devastates marine life, tourism
A toxic algae blooms onto the beach near where a dead dolphin was found at Carrickalinga Beach on July 13, 2025 near Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by) SYDNEY -- A massive outbreak of toxic algae off South Australia, which has devastated hundreds of species of marine life and disrupted local tourism and fishing, is a 'natural disaster,' state Premier Peter Malinauskas said on Tuesday. The algal bloom, first detected in March, spans an area 4,500 square km (1,737 square miles) in size and has been aggravated by rising ocean temperatures, according to environment officials. 'There are over 400 different species of marine life that have been killed off or have had deaths as a result of this algal bloom,' Malinauskas told national broadcaster ABC's News Breakfast program. 'This is a natural disaster and should be acknowledged as such.' Malinauskas announced a A$14 million (US$9.11 million) support package to tackle the outbreak, matching a package by the federal government. The combined A$28 million would assist with clean-up efforts, research, and business support. The toxic bloom has been caused by overgrowth of the Karenia mikimotoi algal species, which affects fish gills and sucks oxygen out of the water as it decomposes, the state's environment department said. Contributing to its growth was a marine heatwave that started in 2024, when sea temperatures were about 2.5 C (36.5 F) warmer than usual. The bloom has impacted tourism and forced oyster and mussel farms to temporarily shut due to a waterborne toxin caused by the algae, local media said. Over 13,850 dead animals, including sharks, rays and invertebrates, have been recorded by the public on the iNaturalist app. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt said on Monday the algal bloom was a 'very serious environmental event,' but stopped short of declaring it a national disaster, which would allow for greater federal support. (US$1 = 1.5363 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Saudi Gazette
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Australia's toxic algae bloom is 'natural disaster'
SYDNEY — An algal bloom catastrophe which has turned usually pristine South Australian waters toxic green and suffocated masses of marine life is a "natural disaster", the state premier has declared. The algal bloom — a rapid increase in the population of algae in water systems — has been spreading since March and is now twice the size of the country's capital territory. The federal government has unveiled an assistance package of A$14m ($9m; £6.7m) but refused to designate the event a natural disaster - a term usually used for cyclones, floods and bushfires and which would trigger a greater response. Authorities say more than 400 species of marine life have died and local industries are suffering. Algal bloom is naturally occurring but is caused by ocean warming, marine heatwaves, and nutrient pollution - all a direct result of climate change. "This is a natural disaster and should be acknowledged as such... I think politicians can do themselves a disservice when they get caught up in technicalities," South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Tuesday. He announced his government would match the federal government's A$14m in funding, with money to go towards research, clean up, and industry support measures. Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young is among those openly criticising the federal government, accusing them of underplaying the situation. "If this toxic algal bloom was wreaking havoc on Bondi Beach or on the North Shore in Sydney, the prime minister would have already been on the beach with a response," she said. However, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt on Monday said while the bloom and its impacts were "incredibly disturbing", the catastrophe did not meet the definition of a natural disaster under the country's laws. The bloom - which now stretches from Coorong to the Yorke Peninsula, an area about double the size of the Australian Capital Territory - is decimating the local environment and lining the coastline with dead wildlife. "It is like a horror movie for fish," Brad Martin - from OzFish, a non-profit organisation that protects fishing habitats - told the BBC in May. But the event is also wreaking havoc on the local economy. Representatives of the fishing industry say some of their members have had no income for at least three months. "I've got fishermen in tears on the phone," Ian Mitchell - who works as a middleman between fishers and retailers - told the ABC. — BBC
7NEWS
9 hours ago
- Health
- 7NEWS
SA premier defies Canberra and declares toxic algae bloom a ‘natural disaster'
More funding is on the way to combat the toxic algae bloom that has been plaguing South Australian coastlines since March with the state government announcing it will match the $14 million in federal funding announced on Monday. On Tuesday, South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas said some of the funding is for immediate relief. 'We've asked for $14 million which is a line to a suite of measures that we have formulated as a state government and we believe will make a difference on the ground,' he said. 'We are saying as a state government, and this is where I guess there is a point of difference between us and our federal colleagues, that we believe this should be declared as a natural disaster formally. That would unlock federal funding. 'This is a natural disaster, I think it needs to be treated as a natural disaster.' There will be small business grants for $10,000 to eligible businesses along with financial counselling, mental health support and workforce advice. This will also be in addition to previous fee relief and $1500 direct support payments to affected primary producers. Funding will also include public information campaigns to rebuild confidence in impacted industries, as consumers remain uncertain about the safety of SA seafood. A further $8.5 million towards a coastal monitoring network to be established was announced along with a fresh $2 million for a national biotoxins and algal blooms testing laboratory in SA. Malinauskas said $3 million would be set aside for a rapid assessment of fish stocks and fisheries as the algae event has killed thousands of fish and marine life across the Fleurieu and Yorke peninsulas. The SA Government has also flagged its intention to analyse citizen science records and develop a dedicated harmful algal bloom response plan for future events. Local councils will also receive funding for beach clean-ups.
Reuters
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Reuters
Toxic algae bloom off South Australia devastates marine life, tourism
SYDNEY, July 22 (Reuters) - A massive outbreak of toxic algae off South Australia, which has devastated hundreds of species of marine life and disrupted local tourism and fishing, is a "natural disaster," state Premier Peter Malinauskas said on Tuesday. The algal bloom, first detected in March, spans an area 4,500 square km (1,737 square miles) in size and has been aggravated by rising ocean temperatures, according to environment officials. 'There are over 400 different species of marine life that have been killed off or have had deaths as a result of this algal bloom,' Malinauskas told national broadcaster ABC's News Breakfast program. 'This is a natural disaster and should be acknowledged as such.' Malinauskas announced a A$14 million ($9.11 million) support package to tackle the outbreak, matching a package by the federal government. The combined A$28 million would assist with clean-up efforts, research, and business support. The toxic bloom has been caused by overgrowth of the Karenia mikimotoi algal species, which affects fish gills and sucks oxygen out of the water as it decomposes, the state's environment department said. Contributing to its growth was a marine heatwave that started in 2024, when sea temperatures were about 2.5 degrees Celsius (36.5 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than usual. The bloom has impacted tourism and forced oyster and mussel farms to temporarily shut due to a waterborne toxin caused by the algae, local media said. Over 13,850 dead animals, including sharks, rays and invertebrates, have been recorded by the public on the iNaturalist app. Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt said on Monday the algal bloom was a "very serious environmental event," but stopped short of declaring it a national disaster, which would allow for greater federal support. ($1 = 1.5363 Australian dollars)
