A deadly algal bloom is currently causing a dramatic mass mortality of marine life off the southern coast of Australia. Regions around the state of South Australia are particularly affected – including popular natural paradises such as Kangaroo Island, the Yorke Peninsula, and the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Coasts full of carcasses: Animal welfare activists sound the alarm
The fish conservation organisation OzFish reports alarming conditions: hundreds of animals such as sharks, rays, crabs, and squid have already fallen victim to the toxic alga Karenia mikimotoi. “Our volunteers say they walked just one kilometre along the beach and counted over a hundred dead rays and other marine creatures,” describes a member of the organisation. Dead sharks have also been documented.
A harrowing sight: the beaches are strewn with carcasses, which not only has dramatic ecological consequences but also unsettles coastal communities. Tourists who come for the biodiversity are now faced with eerily empty beaches full of dead animals.
Old acquaintances – with devastating effects
The alga species Karenia mikimotoi has been known to scientists since the 1930s. It has been detected in the past off the coasts of Japan, Norway, the USA, and China, among others. However, where it appears, severe ecological and economic damage regularly follows – particularly for fisheries and tourism. Experts estimate that the damage caused by such blooms amounts to millions worldwide each year.
The alga produces toxic substances that can severely damage or kill not only fish but also other marine organisms. Currently, Australian authorities and environmental organisations are investigating the causes of the outbreak and attempting to assess the extent of the damage.