The Hon. Peter Malinauskas, Premier of South Australia; The Hon. Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Joint Media Release, 27 April 2026

In response to months of improved beach conditions and latest monitoring trends, the State Government is now in a position to adjust some of its Algal Bloom Summer Plan response measures.

Water testing results show the vast majority of South Australia’s coastline continues to record zero or low levels of the Karenia algae species, building on the encouraging monitoring data over the past three months.

The majority of testing sites across Adelaide, Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Southern Fleurieu, Coorong and the state’s South East have consistently recorded zero or low levels of Karenia since the start of February.

All but one of the more than 110 onshore testing sites recorded zero or low levels of Karenia according to the latest results from the week beginning 19 April.

In the latest round of testing, only one onshore site across the state recorded elevated levels of Karenia above 10,000 cells per litre of water – Bickers Island off the southeast of Eyre Peninsula (16,490 cells per litre).

Latest results also show zero or low levels of Karenia at all 19 testing sites on Yorke Peninsula.

In line with lower levels of Karenia across South Australian waters, incidents of marine life washing up on beaches has declined significantly since the peak of the algal bloom.

The State and Federal Governments have committed more than $160 million to the algal bloom response, including increased research and monitoring and support for our coastal communities and businesses to recover from this unprecedented event.

In response to months of improved conditions, the following measures will be implemented from May 1:

• Local councils or relevant landowners will resume normal beach management arrangements, with State Government field officers and regional contractors no longer conducting daily inspections of metropolitan and regional beaches. State Government beach clean-up crews are currently removing less than 50kg of dead marine life from South Australian beaches a week, down from more than 9,400kg a week in early December 2025.
• In accordance with State Government testing procedures, water testing for Karenia in areas of non-active bloom will revert to monthly testing. Areas of active bloom will continue to undergo high-frequency testing.
• The dedicated website algalbloom.sa.gov.au will be enhanced to include links to the livestream beach cameras, alongside regular information on the latest water testing results from seven regions across the state.
• Livestream videos of 20 popular beaches across Adelaide and regionals areas will remain available from the Beachsafe website and app, allowing people to see latest beach conditions for themselves.
• Daily algal bloom reports implemented at metropolitan and some regional beaches over the busy summer months will no longer feature on the Beachsafe website and app, reflecting that the vast majority of beaches are now consistently clean and free of abnormal foam or abnormal water colour.
• Algal bloom signs across South Australia’s beaches will be progressively withdrawn from council areas when zero or low Karenia cell counts have been recorded for four consecutive weeks at monitoring sites in that council area.
• In response to a significant decline in demand, the Algal Bloom Community Hotline (1800 774 779) will transition from a staffed service to an automated model that connects callers to existing services to report fish kills, dead or injured wildlife, or access general health or mental health support services.

In addition to these changes, updated fish stock assessments have prompted changes to temporary fishing restrictions from May 1.

An increase in abundance of Blue Crab in Gulf St Vincent has allowed the removal of all restrictions on this species, similar to the arrangements already in place for Spencer Gulf.

A total closure will be implemented for Southern Calamari across both gulfs for commercial, recreational and charter boat fishing.

A recreational and charter boat closure will be implemented for Garfish in Gulf St Vincent, which is already subject to a commercial closure.

A spawning closure will be implemented for King George Whiting across both gulfs until July 31. Along with the spawning closure, recreational and charter boat fishing limits for the species in Spencer Gulf will return to 100 per cent from May 1.

All other existing fishing restrictions will remain in place, subject to quarterly scientific reviews.

Ongoing algal bloom response measures will continue with a focus on protecting and restoring our environment, ensuring South Australians can enjoy the beach, and backing coastal businesses and communities. Programs include:

• Investing more than $12 million to restore shellfish reefs off Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and Adelaide.
• Conducting underwater surveys to provide quantitative data on the ecological impact of the algal bloom on marine biodiversity and habitat, providing a baseline to monitor recovery.
• Expanding our investment in South Australia’s capacity for real time oceanographic water quality forecasting and monitoring through collaboration with the CSIRO, including acquisition of state-of-the art monitoring buoys.
• Restocking native fish in reservoirs, creeks and inland waterways to provide alternative fishing options.
• A targeted breeding and conservation program for vulnerable and threatened species impacted by the algal bloom.
• Working with citizen scientists to collect and analyse data – improving our understanding and tracking of algal blooms.

Quotes attributable to Premier Peter Malinauskas

It is pleasing that the vast majority of South Australia’s coastline has recorded zero or low levels of Karenia for the past three months, and it is appropriate we make these changes.

However, the possibility of future blooms cannot be discounted and we must remain vigilant.

South Australians are enjoying our amazing beaches and coastal communities right across the state, but that does not take away from the algal bloom’s significant impact on our marine environment.

That’s why we have invested more than $160 million in science, research and monitoring and supporting our coastal communities and businesses to recover from this unprecedented event.

Government agencies will continue to work together to closely monitor the situation, and people can stay up to date with latest testing results and conditions via the algal bloom website.

Quotes attributable to Clare Scriven

The South Australian Government’s comprehensive algal bloom recovery plan was developed in partnership with scientists, researchers and our commercial and recreational fishing sectors.

While the latest water monitoring results give some cause for optimism, there is still much work to be done to ensure the long-term recovery of our marine environment.

We are delighted that blue crab fishing closures have now been lifted in Gulf St Vincent and Kangaroo Island as stock levels return to healthier numbers, and garfish remains open to all fishers in the Spencer Gulf.

However, in consultation with industry and marine scientists we have agreed to place new restrictions on calamari and KG whiting, a decision which has been backed by our commercial and recreational fishers.

We will continue to deliver on a range of important programs and make the investment that is needed to ensure our marine environment and fishing industries have the best chance of recovery from the impacts of the algal bloom.