28 November 2025
The interim report of State Parliament’s inquiry into the harmful algal bloom tabled its report in the Upper House yesterday.
The inquiry, which is chaired by Greens MLC Robert Simms, is considering the factors that caused the bloom to occur and spread rapidly as well as its economic impacts its effects on community health and wellbeing. It is also scrutinising the State Government’s response to this crisis, including public communications and support and recovery arrangements. The inquiry will continue to meet and hear evidence over the summer and has the potential to hand down its final report in the new year.
Key points:
- The inquiry noted that the contributing factors to the algal bloom are likely to have been floodwaters from the River Murray in 2022-23 which brought extra nutrients into the sea, a cold-water upwelling in summer 2023-24 which lifted more nutrients to the surface, and a marine heatwave since September 2024 has lifted water about 2.5C warmer than normal.
- The algal bloom is dominated by Karenia christata, a species which produces brevetoxins that are fatal to fish and marine invertebrates.
- South Australian councils and volunteers have cleaned up over 57,000 washed-up marine life from beaches and identified more than 560 species that have been impacted by the bloom.
- The Committee has not made any recommendations yet as it is still hearing evidence.
“The toxic algal bloom is the biggest ecological catastrophe in our SA modern history. This interim report provides an update on the work undertaken to date. The inquiry has so far heard evidence from industry, local councils, peak bodies, scientists and the wider community about the impact it has had on our state. These insights are essential for providing oversight of the adequacy of the Government’s response,” Greens MLC Robert Simms.
“The inquiry will continue to scrutinise the State Government’s response to this crisis, including public communications and support and recovery arrangements throughout the summer months."