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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-11-25 Daily Xml
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Algal Bloom

In reply to the Hon. B.R. HOOD ().14 October 2025).

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries): I am advised by the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water:

During 'normal' periods, wildlife carcasses do wash up on beaches as wildlife can become sick or die from a wide range of causes. The numbers seen year to year fluctuate depending on conditions, tides and observation effort.

A range of marine mammals, birds and reptiles have been reported to the government that are sick or dead in coastal areas affected by the algal bloom.

Given the scientific and community interest in understanding the potential impacts of the algal bloom on mammals, birds and reptiles, a range of fresh and accessible wildlife carcasses, including dolphins, seals, birds and turtles from algal bloom impacted areas have been sent for post-mortem testing.

Post-mortem tests are conducted where suitable fresh samples can be collected (i.e. it is safe and accessible to do so) and either there is a suspicion of an infectious disease that is of biosecurity or public health concern; or where the testing could contribute valuable information to understanding the effects of the algal bloom. Since the discovery of brevetoxin in shellfish, these post-mortems, where relevant and possible, have also included testing for algal biotoxins, including brevetoxins.

Testing of sharks has generally been undertaken by Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) staff at the South Australian Research and Development Institute, although external veterinary pathologists have undertaken the testing for a few cases. In collaboration with PIRSA, the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) has engaged external veterinary pathologists to undertake testing on mammals, birds and reptiles. For some tests, notably those for algal biotoxins and some notifiable diseases, further external laboratories have been utilised.

When the various post-mortem tests have been completed, a plain-English summary of the test results is prepared. That summary and the test results are then published on the DEW website. Owing to the testing and summarisation processes, it is typically some months between the collection of a carcass and the publication of the summary and results.

Testing of the bottlenose dolphin collected at Henley Beach in August is ongoing.

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