Michelle Daw, Yorke Peninsula Country Times
Dead sea creatures are being discovered along the east coast of southern Yorke Peninsula, believed to be linked to a microalgal bloom.
A spokesperson said Primary Industries and Regions South Australia had received reports of dead fish around Edithburgh and southern Yorke Peninsula.
Casualties. Dead marine life found near Edithburgh jetty on Sunday, April 6: goatfish, tommy ruff (Australian herring), blue ringed octopus and sea snail.
Photos: Paul Macdonald, Edithburgh Diving and Elizabeth Solnich
“While investigations are ongoing, initial results from dissolved oxygen, salinity and water temperature testing — along with water samples collected by PIRSA — have been unable to pinpoint a cause, with no abnormalities recorded other than slightly higher water temperatures,” they said.
Waitpinga and Parsons Beaches on the Fleurieu Peninsula are closed until further notice due to the presence of the Karenia mikimotoi microalgae, which has caused mass marine deaths.
Millions of pipis and other sea life washed up on southern beaches over the weekend (April 6-7), and the algae has also affected Island Beach on the northeast coast of Kangaroo Island.
A bloom of this microalgae can appear as yellow-green foam, resembling the froth on a milkshake, and can also cause the water to appear discoloured.
Although not toxic to humans, the algae can cause symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, throat irritation, itchy or burning eyes, and skin irritation.
The Environment Protection Authority said the microalgae could cause mass marine mortality and would dissipate naturally over time, depending on wind, swell and tides.
Diver Paul Macdonald said he was shocked by what he saw during a dive off the Edithburgh jetty — one of Australia’s best-known dive sites — on Sunday, April 6.
“We saw 30 to 40 dead octopus, and normally you have to really look to see one octopus during the daytime,” he said.
“I didn’t have to swim very far and there were dead octopus everywhere.
“It was the saddest and most emotional dive I have ever had.”
Mr Macdonald and diver Elizabeth Solnich photographed a range of other dead marine life, including squid, cuttlefish, molluscs, fish, starfish, crabs and sea cucumbers.
He said the water appeared a dirty brown colour and visibility was just 1.5 metres, compared to the usual 12 to 15 metres under similar conditions.
“My skin was itchy when I got out of the water and I’ve had a sore throat since then,” he said.
British Sub-Aqua Club Asia Pacific regional coach Gareth Morris arrived in Edithburgh on Friday, April 4, and said water conditions deteriorated over the weekend, forcing the cancellation of a Sunday dive.
“The water was turbid, and it’s normally quite clear,” he said.
“On Friday, we could see cephalopods — squid, octopus and cuttlefish — were dying, and we dived again on Saturday and there were dead octopus everywhere.”
Mr Morris said he also noticed dying fish, such as garfish and stargazers.
“The jetty pylons are covered in colourful sponges and soft corals, and they are dying as well,” he said.
“It was just heartbreaking.”
Mark Petersons from Troubridge Island Escape said he saw dead or dying starfish, beach worms, skates and a Port Jackson shark around the island over the weekend.
“There is definitely something going on,” he said.
Wool Bay resident Stephen Pascoe said he had been finding at least a dozen dead puffer fish, porcupine fish and cow horn fish on the beach each day for the past two to three weeks, warning these fish are poisonous to dogs.
Mr Pascoe has also found dead seabirds and a leafy sea dragon.
SA Health has recommended that people avoid contact with water and shorelines affected by microalgae, especially in discoloured or murky areas.
Anyone who comes into contact with the algae should rinse it off with fresh water, SA Health advised.
Suspected microalgae sightings can be reported to Fishwatch on 1800 065 522 or to the EPA on 1800 623 445, or via email at yourepa@sa.gov.au.
This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 8 April 2025.
