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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2025-10-14 Daily Xml
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Algal Bloom

In reply to the Hon. R.A. SIMMS ().3 June 2025).

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

Whilst there has been a marine heatwave affecting South Australia since September 2024, this does not mean that a harmful algal bloom has been present in South Australian waters since this time. A marine heatwave may contribute to a harmful algal bloom forming, but often it will not.

PIRSA investigates all reported fish kill events to rule out infectious and notifiable diseases, establish the cause and coordinate a response where necessary.

On Sunday afternoon, 16 March 2025, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) received a report via the FishWatch hotline of up to 100 people having fallen ill after surfing at Waitpinga on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Further information was received on Monday morning, also via the FishWatch hotline, indicating that there had been fish kills at Waitpinga and Parsons Beach.

A PIRSA officer attended Waitpinga and Victor Harbor on Monday 17 March 2025 to investigate the fish kills. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) also attended the Waitpinga site.

Water samples collected as part of those investigations were able to positively identify microalgae Karenia mikimotoi as the cause of the event within one week of the event first being reported.

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