A catastrophic algal bloom — fueled by warming oceans and calm marine conditions — is killing marine life on the shores of South Australia (SA) on an unprecedented scale. Experts, beach goers and officials describe it as an unfolding “marine apocalypse”.

Since late March, residents and scientists have observed mass deaths of fish, shellfish, sharks, sea dragons, rays, cuttlefish and deepwater species along the southern coastline — particularly the Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and Goolwa. Dead weedy and leafy sea dragons, a protected species and an icon of the region’s biodiversity, have washed ashore in record numbers.

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The toxic algal bloom, Karenia mikimotoi, a dinoflagellate that thrives in warm, stagnant water and emits toxins lethal to marine life is the cause of this catastrophe. Scientists say it is the result of record-breaking marine heat waves, which have raised sea surface temperatures in SA from 2.5°C to 3.2°C above average, since September last year.

In addition, one of the worst droughts on record is currently crippling multiple southern states. Kaurna Yerta/Adelaide has received only around 300 millimeters of rain since February last year, making it the driest 15-month spell since 1839. The drought extends across the state’s agriculture belt.

SA Minister for........

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