Latest news with #toxicalgae
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Toxic algae blooms on Australian south coast
An outbreak of the toxic algae species Karenia mikimotoi is concerning marine experts and conservationists in Australia. It was first detected off the coast of the state of South Australia in March during a marine heatwave. Since it was identified, the bloom has spread and killed thousands of marine creatures, including sharks, penguins and rays. Underwater footage captured by local divers showed that the toxic algae have also caused a mass death of fish, coral and seagrass. In a post on social media, one diver said he found a large dolphin on a beach in Marino, in the south of Adelaide. The diver said the dolphin had washed up on the beach, dead. This is not a quiet tragedy; it is a national disaster, he said. Experts are urging the Australian government to take immediate action. But state authorities have suggested nothing can be done to dilute the bloom.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Avoid water recreation, fishing at popular Pierce County lake due to toxic algae
Watch out for poisonous green scum or other streaks or clumps of colored algae in Spanaway Lake, health officials said in a toxic algae caution advisory Wednesday. 'When you see algae, don't swim, wade, waterski, or fish,' the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department news release said. 'Keep in mind as wind direction changes, the algae could move elsewhere in the lake. When in doubt, stay out!' The health department sampled the waters Monday and will check for toxic algae again next week. Officials will leave the advisory up for two weeks 'out of an abundance of caution' once the bloom disappears, the release said. Spanaway Lake is located next to Spanaway Park, which has a boat launch and two swimming beaches without lifeguards, according to the county website. The lake also provides opportunities for fishing stocked rainbow trout as well as largemouth and smallmouth bass and rock bass, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website says. Signs at the lake warn visitors of the advisory. People should avoid any areas of the lake with algae and avoid eating fish from contaminated water, according to the release. Toxic algae or cyanobacteria exists naturally in lakes and can make people and animals sick. The algae can take different shapes and colors, including a layer of scum akin to green pea soup. They can also be brown, red and blueish, the department said. Symptoms that can result from coming into contact with toxic algae are muscle weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, the release said. Your skin also can become irritated or get a rash if it comes in contact with toxic algae. Visit your medical provider if you show symptoms and may have been in water with toxic algae. You can get sick minutes to hours after exposure. Rinse off any pets or people exposed immediately and seek medical help if symptoms appear, the department advises. Small children and pets are particularly susceptible to illness because of their small bodies and their likelihood of ingesting water with toxic algae. Take your pet to the vet if they show any signs of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, difficulty breathing or general weakness; and keep exposed pets from licking their fur, the advisory said.
RNZ News
23-07-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Why this town's lake is causing a stink
Living beside a lake is not as idyllic as it sounds for Pegasus residents. Photo: It might sound idyllic to live beside a lake, but for Pegasus residents it is anything but. The Pegasus Residents' Group wants answers on the fate of Pegasus Lake, due to ongoing issues with toxic algae. Environment Canterbury (ECan) issued an abatement notice to the developer, Templeton Pegasus Ltd, last month about the state of the artificial lake in the Canterbury town. It followed the latest public health warning for toxic algae, which was issued in December. Photo: Residents' group chairperson Matt James said frustration is growing among residents, who continue to face uncertainty. ''We have a good relationship with Templeton Group, which has given us a good insight into the problem. ''For a manufactured lake it is very deep and the water is very stale. ''It is like a garden pond. It is fed by aquifers, but the flows aren't fast enough to flush it out, which has caused the lake to layer.'' The artificial lake was constructed by the original developer, Infinity Group, between 2008 and 2010, with Todd Property Group taking over the development in late 2012. It is now owned by Templeton Pegasus Ltd, a subsidiary of Templeton Group. Templeton Pegasus Ltd has been contacted for comment. James said Templeton Pegasus Ltd presented residents with a plan last year, but he believes no progress has been made since. ''The community hasn't heard back from Templeton for sometime and there's a lot of frustration and at times anger. ''My personal suspicion is it will end up with the council (Waimakariri District Council) having to deal with.'' Pegasus Lake is a popular spot for recreational activities. Photo: North Canterbury News Fellow residents' group committee members Colin Brownlee and Peter Johnston said the lake had been a drawcard in attracting residents to move to Pegasus. Algal bloom was first reported in February 2015, with the lake closed to recreational use for the first time. Two months later ECan found the lake weeds had been sprayed with Diquat herbicide. An infringement notice was issued to Todd Property Group in 2020, with the sub-division subsequently sold to Templeton Group. An ECan spokesperson said Templeton Pegasus Ltd holds four resource consents and is in breach of conditions in two of those consents. ''The lake is prone to blooms of potentially toxic algae ('blue-green algae') over the summer period.'' Templeton Pegasus Ltd has since issued a registration of interest via its consultancy firm WSP last month to investigate options to remediate the lake. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
CTV News
22-07-2025
- 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)
Malay Mail
22-07-2025
- Climate
- Malay Mail
Toxic algae bloom lingers off Australia, killing marine life
SYDNEY, July 22 — A vast toxic algae bloom has sparked growing concern in Australia as it lingers off the south coast, killing hundreds of marine species and disrupting fisheries. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unlocked federal funds this week to cope with the Karenia mikimotoi algae as it persists four months after first appearing. South Australia's government said it was holding an emergency meeting Tuesday to be briefed by scientists on the phenomenon. The algae, which damages the gills of fish and suffocates them, stretched across 4,400 square kilometres when it was first spotted in mid-March, according to the state government. While South Australian authorities hoped the bloom would disperse, it has instead spread across the region, the latest government update said. A marine heatwave in the area had 'largely abated', it said, but remained in some deeper waters. Beaches on wildlife-rich tourist draws such as Kangaroo Island, Yorke Peninsula and Fleurieu Peninsula have been littered with the marine carcasses of sharks, rays, crabs and octopuses. 'It's hard to overstate the extreme severity of the algal-bloom environmental crisis in South Australia,' said marine ecologist Adriana Verges from University of New South Wales. 'We are talking about extensive mortality of nearly 500 different marine species, including key habitat-forming sponges and other invertebrates, as well as fish. It's completely devastating.' 'Red flashing warning' Karenia mikimotoi has been detected around the world, including in waters off Japan, Norway, the United States and China, since the 1930s and disrupted local tourism and fishery industries, causing millions of dollars worth of damage. Ian Mitchell, who manages a fish market in Adelaide, said some people had not caught anything since April. 'It's the worst I've ever seen it,' he told national broadcaster ABC. 'I'm speaking to fishermen on a daily basis, and I've got fishermen in tears on the phone.' The federal government announced on Monday A$14 million (RM38.6 million) in financial assistance to impacted fisheries, clean-up efforts and research into preparedness. The prime minister said a 'whole range of issues' had led to the event, including nutrient-rich floodwater runoff and above-average ocean temperatures. Historically fishing and aquaculture industries can take years to recover from these algae blooms, said Australian Marine Conservation Society chief executive Paul Gamblin. 'It's an enormous red flashing warning that climate change has arrived off Australia and it is having enormous impacts,' he told AFP. South Australia has not previously experienced a toxic algae bloom of this scale or duration. Local authorities have urged beachgoers to avoid swimming in water that is discoloured or foamy, warning that it can irritate the skin and affect breathing. Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and duration of marine heatwaves across Australia, which significantly affects marine ecosystems. — AFP
