Our Government continues to deliver a well-resourced and well-informed response to the unprecedented harmful algal bloom event impacting South Australia, with improved water quality a key focus.
Our comprehensive $102.5 million summer plan, jointly funded with the Federal Government, includes more than $37 million to protect our environment for future generations and support vital algal bloom research.
We are seeing significantly reduced levels of the bloom in much of our metro and regional waters, which is a positive sign over the critical summer months – and we continue to implement measures that support the algal bloom recovery.
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Latest testing results from the week beginning 30 November show 20 of 21 metropolitan onshore sites show no or low levels of Karenia. The latest metropolitan results show overall Karenia levels remain low compared with mid-October, when six sites recorded more than a million cells per litre.
A single oyster can filter around 100 litres of water a day – the equivalent of an entire bathtub of seawater every two days – which is why we are rolling out shellfish reefs across our oceans to make a significant difference to water quality for the long-term.
To support these efforts, a new volunteer portal – listing programs and events the community can contribute to – has been created on the Government’s dedicated algal bloom site. South Australians are passionate about their marine environment, and we are providing more ways for the public to give back to coastal communities.
Another initiative under our summer plan is further development of the South Australian Integrated Coastal Water Quality Monitoring and Forecasting System, an extensive scientific monitoring, detection, and assessment program to be led by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).
This expanded monitoring and forecasting system aims to develop early detection and forecasting capabilities for key algal bloom species, particularly Karenia. This will include deploying a network of ocean moorings at six key sites and using Imaging FlowCytobot technology for automated, high-resolution identification and listing of algal bloom-forming species.
Other summer plan initiatives include:
- Large-scale limestone shellfish reef restoration – with new native shellfish reefs placed along the coast. When installed, these will create an environment where native oysters can grow into a natural reef, filtering the water and creating habitat for biodiversity and recovery.
- Community shellfish reef restoration – using recycled shellfish shells to create additional community shellfish reefs, bringing the total number to 25 projects around the state. These reefs use recycled oyster shells, placed in strategic locations to create a natural habitat for new oysters and marine life.
- Research into large-scale seagrass restoration – undertaking seagrass and coastal wetland restoration in the Gulf St Vincent and Coorong. Seagrass helps filter excess nutrients from the water and supports bacteria that naturally limit algal growth, improving water quality. Seagrass also holds sand in place, provides a carbon sink, and serves as a nursery habitat for juvenile fish and other marine fauna.
- A threatened and vulnerable marine species breeding program – involving targeted breeding, conservation and fish stocking for vulnerable and threatened species impacted by the algal bloom, which will occur alongside a biodiversity education program to assist in the recovery process.
State Government agencies are also conducting other research, investigations and trials into various mitigation techniques for potential use at a limited scale in somewhat controlled waterways, such as lakes and marinas. This includes clay and gyroid absorbent sponge technologies.