Toxic Algae Crisis Sparks Funding Request in South Australia
(MENAFN) South Australia's Premier has formally requested substantial federal funding to combat a destructive algal bloom that is wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems along the state’s coastline.
Premier Peter Malinauskas confirmed Monday that he has recently spoken with federal officials, urging them to release millions of dollars in emergency support to address the outbreak of the toxic algae Karenia mikimotoi.
Since its detection in March, the bloom has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of marine animals—including sharks, penguins, and octopuses—across hundreds of kilometers of South Australia’s coastline.
"This is a natural disaster. It should be treated as a natural disaster and I've made my view known very clearly to the federal government this morning," Malinauskas told an Australian newspaper.
The Premier emphasized that federal funding would supplement state-level relief already in motion for commercial fishing operators. It would also support expanded scientific analysis and recovery initiatives.
Scientists attribute the bloom to a persistent marine heatwave affecting SA waters, warning that the algae is unlikely to recede without a significant environmental shift.
Malinauskas made his remarks on the same day that federal Environment Minister Murray Watt visited affected coastal zones to assess the damage firsthand.
There is growing pressure on Canberra from politicians, conservationists, and marine biologists to formally classify the event as a national disaster. Such a designation would expedite intergovernmental coordination and unlock financial relief for impacted communities.
Nina Wootton, a marine scientist at the University of Adelaide, issued a public statement Monday describing the bloom as a severe ecological emergency.
"While not yet formally declared a national disaster, the scale of this event, spanning hundreds of kilometers of coastline and devastating huge numbers of marine life, is unprecedented for the region and demands national attention," she said.
In response to the escalating crisis, Malinauskas has convened the state's Emergency Management Cabinet Committee for a meeting on Tuesday to map out a comprehensive response strategy.
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