The Hon. Ross Cadell, Nationals Senator for New South Wales, and Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Media Release, 15 March 2026
Communities across regional South Australia continue to feel the effects of last year’s devastating algal bloom 12 months after the first detection of the bloom in waters near Victor Harbor.
More than 4,500 square kilometres, equating to around 30 per cent of the state’s coastline was affected by the bloom, which became the subject of a Senate Inquiry after a successful push by Nationals Senator for New South Wales, and Shadow Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Ross Cadell.
Senator Cadell said the 12-month anniversary was a difficult reminder of the ongoing impact caused by the bloom, especially for those still waiting to access financial assistance.
“While the algae itself may have disappeared, the long-term economic impacts have remained,” Cadell said.
“Whether it be commercial fishing operators, accommodation and tourism providers, or learn to dive schools, everyone who relies on the coastline for their income has been affected in one way or another.
“Labor turned up with an open chequebook once the bloom reached the metropolitan beaches of Adelaide keen to avoid a political horror show.
“Looking back, it was clearly all talk and little action.
“Fishermen who were promised access to interest free loans through the Regional Investment Fund are still waiting on a website prompt that says, ‘coming soon’.
“These communities needed cash in bank accounts months ago, not 12-months and two inquiries down the line.
“According to Springmount Advisory, the fishing industry sustained a $100 million hit from the bloom after catch volumes turned to thin air almost overnight.
“Wherever I went in South Australia I heard story upon story of businesses who had gone quiet and were unsure of their future due to the bloom.
“In Ardrossan we heard an emotive Bart Butson describe how squid had disappeared overnight and that it was like the species never existed.
“It was a similar story at Victor Harbor where Nathan Eatts of Cape Calamari described a good catch on Good Friday and nothing for months to follow.
“This has been as much an environmental disaster as it has been an economic nightmare for South Australia’s regional communities.
“All because the media attention has gone and the algal has blown away doesn’t mean the impacts have lessened.
“These communities are resolute, but they need your support.
“If you haven’t yet booked an Easter holiday, pack your empty esky, and plan a road trip to coastal South Australia.”
