Alarm in South Australia: toxic algae blossom threatens sea life and fishing!

Alarm in South Australia: toxic algae blossom threatens sea life and fishing!

On the south coast of Australia, an alarming catastrophe has developed: a massive toxic algae blossom of the Art Karenia Mikimotoi spreads over an area of around 4,400 square kilometers. This algae blossom has already led to the death of hundreds of sea creatures, including fish, sharks, rays, octopuses and crabs. The effects are not only ecologically devastating, but also economically stressful for fishing. Fischer report that they have not caught fish since April. The government of South Australia convened a crisis meeting in this emergency in order to be informed about the situation of experts. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already provided federal funds of 14 million AUD (7.8 million euros) to cope with the environmental crisis and remove the algae.

The algae blossom not only led to the death of almost 500 types of sea, but also threatens the habitats of the Adelaide Delfine. There, in the Port River, the animals live in an important protected area. Although they are not immediately threatened by the algae, reducing their prey could lead to the migration of the dolphins. The algae in particular damages the gills of fish, which leads to its suffocation. Sea expert Adriana forgives the worrying extent of this elimination of life forms and emphasizes that gills of 400 different species are affected.

causes of the algae flower

The algae blossom that has been observed since mid -March is the result of several factors. A Marine Heatwave, in which the water temperatures were 2.5 degrees Celsius above the normal value, initiated the development. In addition, the floods of the River Murray in 2022/23 contributed to the enrichment of nutrients, while an unexpected cold water drive event brought nutrient water masses to the surface in summer 2023/24. The interaction of these elements has not only led to an unusual accumulation of algae flowers in South Australia, but is also part of a global trend. According to reports, the frequency of such phenomena has increased by 60 percent worldwide.

In addition to the biological effects, there are serious concerns about the economic survival of fishermen and aquatic companies in the region. The responsible authorities have already announced relief measures of 500,000 AUD for affected companies in the form of discounts on license fees.

climate change and its global effect

These current events are also related to the far -reaching effects of climate change. Experts warn that warming of the seas and the increased nutrient inputs should be regarded as the main causes of the explosive growth of phytoplankton - so -called algae flowers. A worrying trend can be seen: the seas that switch from blue to green are not only affected on the Australian coast. In other parts of the world, including the Caribbean, increased algae flowers can also be observed, where the Braunalge Sargassum in particular has become a challenge for tourism and the environment.

algae play a key role in the food chain and in the carbon binding, but the explosion -like growths lead to considerable ecological problems, including lack of oxygen in the waters and the resulting fish death. The extent and the return of such events are alarming signals for the health of our oceans and the stability of the marine ecosystems. In South Australia, the consequences of this algae blossom could still be felt for years, which experts like Paul Gamblin from the Australian Society for Sea Protection interpret as a clear warning signal for climate change.

To deal with the challenges, long-term research as well as sustainable management and protection strategies will be required. The topic of algae flowers and its causes therefore remains a central topic in the discussion about climate change and its consequences for marine ecosystems worldwide.

For further information on the current developments and the scientific aspects of the algae blossom, read the reports of Exxpress.at , Australian.Museum and tagesschau.de .