A content waring – the following contains themes that may be distressing for some.
South Australia has been witnessing an “unprecedented” environmental catastrophe unravel across its shorelines. It’s once picturesque oceans, now left filmy and discoloured by the algae bloom, Karenia Mikimotoi.
But, under brown and foamy swells, a more horrific reality has been building – with the state’s toxic bloom leaving countless marine creatures washed-up dead, in its wake.
Department of Primary Industries and Regions, say the last time a large event of this type of algae was recorded was in 2014 in SA’s Coffin Bay.
But, Marine experts have indicated the current algae explosion is unmatched, reaching a level not previously experienced, with many warning the full impact is yet to be discovered.
The Wire took a deeper look into the state’s unfolding disaster.
Image: Flickr – Terry Ross – Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
Produced By: Ryan Kirley, and Emma Wotzke
Featured In Story: Riley Beech – Local Fisherman , Brad Martin – PhD candidate from the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University, and, OzFish Unlimited Project Manager, SA, Steve Bowley – Pacific Estate Oysters Owner , and
First aired on The Wire, Thursday 29 May 2025