Joint media release: Expanded algae testing regime to better inform the public

Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Susan Close MP, SA Minister for Climate, Environment and Water

South Australia’s algal bloom water testing regime has been significantly expanded to 76 sites as part of the $28 million support package funded by the Albanese and Malinauskas governments.

This includes the addition of 18 new regional testing sites across South Australia including six on Yorke Peninsula, five on the Eyre Peninsula, four on the Fleurieu Peninsula and three in the South-East.

Drones will also be trialled in the coming weeks so water sampling can be conducted at remote locations.

Today, Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt joined South Australian Ministers, Susan Close and Clare Scriven to undertake offshore water sampling with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA).

Currently, weekly testing at 17 metropolitan sites is being conducted including at estuaries and jetties, and fortnightly testing at 18 sites across the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth.

The $28 million support package will also fund an improved coastal monitoring network including investing in expanded early detection and monitoring of harmful algal bloom species.

This will be done through real time sensors (buoys), satellite imagery and oceanographic modelling, with rapid detection of harmful algal blooms and early warning systems for industry.

Meanwhile, 15 community-based oyster reef restoration sites will be established across regional South Australia as part of a three-year project to help nature and communities respond to the algal bloom.

The $850,000 shellfish reef restoration project will start to repair 1500km of shellfish reef ecosystems lost to fishing more than a century ago.

As filter-feeding ecosystems that clean the water of nutrients and algae, these reefs would have provided a natural defence against events such as the algal bloom.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:

“This current outbreak is a stark reminder that warming oceans and shifting marine conditions are already hitting Australian communities.

“Both levels of government are working together to support ongoing efforts to manage this harmful outbreak.

"From a scientific perspective, we’re tapping into both State and Federal resources to better map and understand this and future events, through more testing sites, marine forecasting tools, a rapid assessment of fish stocks and fisheries and other research programs.

“And we’ll continue to work together closely to support South Australia’s preparedness and response efforts.”

Quotes attributable to the SA Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, Susan Close:

“The expansion of the testing program will provide more information and more reassurance to more people in affected coastal communities.

“While we can’t intervene to shift the algal bloom, we can find better ways to monitor its movement and ultimately its impact on the marine environment.

“Increased testing sites and real time monitoring through buoys will ensure we are able to detect the presence of algal blooms much faster.”