State Government reveals next stage of algal bloom support package: Malinauskas, Close, Scriven
The State Government’s Emergency Management Committee of Cabinet has met this morning and signed off on a $28 million harmful algal bloom support package. The comprehensive package covers industry support, science and research, communications, community support and clean up.
Feds fly in with $14m
Sarah Herrmann. The Federal Government has pledged $14 million towards South Australia's harmful algae bloom, but has not declared it a national disaster. Federal environment minister Murray Watt made the announcement yesterday (Monday, July 21) during a visit to Adelaide's beaches, saying $14 million was the formal request made by the State Government the day before.
Fisheries vessel to inspect harmful algal bloom: Close, Scriven
South Australia’s flagship fisheries patrol vessel Southern Ranger will be operating in the Gulf of St Vincent tomorrow to conduct underwater observations of the harmful algal … State Government agencies are also taking weekly water samples at 17 sites across West Lakes, the Port River, the Patawalonga River and the end of four jetties at Largs Bay, Grange, Glenelg and Port Noarlunga.
Fishers’ plea for lifeline
Michelle Daw. Commercial fishers are calling for the South Australian Government to waive licence and quota fees as they continue to struggle with low catches amid the devastating impact of the prolonged toxic algal bloom on marine life.
Merger will not restore deleted emergency capability
Victorian Fisheries Media Centre. On May 20, 2025, the fisheries authority (VFA) finalised an organisational restructure, under which it has since shed 30 (44 per cent) of the state's 69 Fisheries Officers; leaving just 39 officers to patrol Victoria's 2,512 km coastline, 10,000 square km of ocean waters and 170,000 km of inland water frontage along 85,000 km of rivers and creeks. Then in a separate decision, on Friday, June 13, 2025, the VFA stripped the remaining officers of their duties to "respond to any emergency" by deleting these duties from their Position Descriptions ...
Understanding long-term reef health
Reef Life Survey (RLS) have released a new report outlining results from long-term monitoring of shallow reefs in the Lord Howe Island Park (LHIMP). RLS is a volunteer-based citizen science program which has been surveying reefs to 30m depth in the LHIMP for nearly two decades.
Tourism blues as bloom remains, spreads
Businesses on southern Yorke Peninsula have been hit by a tourism downturn amid the ongoing algal bloom. Stansbury has been affected by brevetoxin, closing the town's oyster farms for over six weeks, which Dalrymple Hotel owner Rob Rankine said had influenced visitation to the town.
Tiwi Islands celebrate milestone in Territory-grown oyster industry: Maley
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing the growth of the Northern Territory’s Blacklip Rock Oyster industry, with progress on the ground showcased at a community field day on Bathurst Island. Held at Wurrumiyanga on 19 June 2025, the Oyster Farm Field Day brought together local community members, industry participants and research partners...
Shellharbour’s incredible whale tales
Whale watching is in full swing in Shellharbour with numerous sightings occurring this month, including some incredible drone footage from Bushrangers Bay caught by local ORRCA volunteer Ty Peters.
Webinar: Integrated Planning in Australia’s Marine Estate, 26 June 2025
The lack of an integrated planning framework for the management of Australia’s marine estate is emerging as a major challenge for development of the Blue Economy. In this webinar, possible approaches to overcome these challenges will be discussed.
‘Our worst fears’: oyster farms remain closed
Sarah Herrmann. if it goes on for another month, I don't know that we'll still be in business." That's the sentiment of Stansbury oyster farmer Steve Bowley. Mr Bowley's farm, Pacific Estate Oysters, is one of several in the area closed due to the level of brevetoxin present.
Howeana returns home
Last November, a weak and injured Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) was found near the jetty by young Lord Howe Island residents ... The turtle was given the name Howeana ... Howeana was flown back to the Island in April, and taken to Old Settlement Beach for release in to sheltered seagrass meadows.
Algal bloom threatens entire marine habitats
Michelle Daw. Entire marine habitats around Yorke Peninsula could be destroyed by the current algal bloom, a local marine conservationist has warned. Speaking at a community forum in Marion Bay on Sunday, June 1, Andy Cameron of Foul Bay said the full extent of the damage caused by the bloom was yet to be revealed.
Aerial shark patrols extended to long weekend
Aerial shark patrols along the state’s coastline will be extended until the June long weekend, following unseasonably warm weather and an increase in shark sightings at popular beaches. This patrol season – which was brought forward to early November and will run until Monday 9 June – is the longest recorded in South Australia.
Cuttlefest 2025 is here!
Get ready to dive into the excitement – the Australian Giant Cuttlefish will arrive soon in the coastal waters near Stony Point, marking the start of Whyalla’s much-loved Cuttlefest 2025 celebrations! Running from June through July, the season features an exciting line-up of family-friendly, adventurous, and creative events taking place across the city.
Algae concerns close oyster farms
Sarah Herrmann. Oyster farms in Stansbury have been forced to close while authorities investigate whether food safety is at risk from brevetoxins produced by the microalgae Karenia. At least six farms were closed from Monday, May 5, as a precaution under the Primary Produce (Food Safety Schemes) (Seafood) Regulations 2017.
Five years of data in one application
Star of the South is confident of lodging the environmental approval applications this year for its proposed windfarm offshore from Gippsland. This follows the state government releasing the latest guidelines to implement the offshore wind projects.
Woman survives stingray barb
Michelle Daw. A woman who was struck by an eagle ray's venomous barb says she is lucky to be alive. Retired nurse Pam Bennett was pierced by the barb in her right arm while snorkelling in waist-deep water ... She said the ray's attack was unusual behaviour and would have resulted from it being in pain, because of the algal bloom.
X marks the reef – Australians urged to report tropical shellfish: OzFish
Australia’s fish habitat charity, OzFish, is calling on the help of Australia’s recreational fishing and ocean-loving super sleuths to track down the country's remaining tropical shellfish reefs — so they can be studied and restored. OzFish, in collaboration with Griffith University, is asking Australians to keep their eyes peeled for tropical shellfish reefs while out on the water.
Sharks in the shallows
Sarah Herrmann. Shark sightings close to the shores of numerous South Australian beaches have prompted the SA Government to extend aerial shark patrols — but Yorke Peninsula is not included ... Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA told the YP Country Times on April 24 it was aware of community concerns about sightings across the state, including on YP.
No heads up: Locals say toxic microalgae advice was too slow
Sarah Herrmann. Southern Yorke Peninsula residents have criticised the speed at which advice was provided to the public about the toxic microalgae bloom, which has been detected at Edithburgh and Coobowie, and caused dead marine life to wash up on numerous other SYP beaches.
Toxic algae found along coast
Michelle Daw. An algae toxic to marine life has been detected in water samples collected from Edithburgh and Coobowie ... The PIRSA spokesperson said the algae could cause mass deaths of marine life and particularly affect the gills of fish. "This is a dynamic situation as the bloom travels depending on weather and water conditions, and the impact therefore is unpredictable."
