The South Australian government has partnered with federal authorities to invest in the project. In the works is an almost $700,000 installation of a 200 by 100-metre bubble curtain along Cuttlefish Coast. This initiative aims to protect up to 80,000 cuttlefish eggs and hatchlings from the ongoing algal bloom that has become a pressing environmental concern in the region.
South Australian Deputy Premier Susan Close said the bubble curtain had completed extensive trials at Point Lowly, in the Upper Spencer Gulf. It hasn’t been turned on at all. The curtain’s intention isn’t to contain algae that has already arrived, she said. The gear releases a massive wall of air bubbles under the water. This barrier forms a natural filter, providing a buffer to mitigate the effects of toxic algal blooms.
Algal Bloom Situation in South Australia
As recent reports show the algal bloom obviously still hasn’t dissipated across South Australia, especially along the state’s metropolitan Adelaide coastline. Duke’s Professor Mike Steer noted that the new information indicates increasing algal concentrations at 32 of the 83 monitored sites across the area. At the same time, as many as 34 other sites continue to keep levels stable. Only 17 locations saw year-over-year declines. These stretches include the beaches around Robe in the South East and the coastline between Deep Creek and Waitpinga on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Additionally, the federal government has instituted a weekly update on algal blooms. Our weekly update helps the public know what algal levels are like in their area. Notably, algal concentrations have plummeted along the Spencer Gulf’s western shore and some parts of the Yorke Peninsula close to Moonta and Port Rickaby. Notable increases have been seen between Encounter Bay and Goolwa and on Kangaroo Island from Penneshaw to Cape Willoughby.
“The greatest area of impact at the moment as this bloom moves dynamically through the gulfs is along the metropolitan coast.” – Professor Mike Steer
Health Advisory for Beachgoers
In response to this year’s algal bloom health officials are warning visitors to the beaches to stay safe. Nicola Spurrier, a prominent health figure in the region, urged individuals with asthma to carry their medication when visiting beaches affected by foam. She illustrated the necessity of staying on guard, even when the landscape looks cloudy, or in some cases, stormy.
“Especially if you notice on the beach there is foam, or the water is quite murky or the sea is quite rough.” – Nigel Cooper
Spurrier further admitted that they had received feedback on their public messaging around the ongoing algal bloom crisis. “We got some feedback that we didn’t have enough on social media and absolutely we will take that feedback on board and we’ll make sure that that gets out on our social media channels as well,” she stated.
Government’s Proactive Measures
The South Australian government is taking the lead to ensure public safety is the priority. They’re addressing the major environmental issues associated with algal blooms, up close and personal. David Basham, a local representative, commented on the necessity for better public awareness: “The government need to actually get very proactive, make people aware of what’s happening on beaches on a day-to-day basis so people can make the choice to come down to the beach safely and understand what they’re going to encounter when they get here.”
Susan Close echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are ready in the event that it’s necessary… it’s a good bit of kit that’s hopefully not needed, but utterly necessary to be ready and prepared.” Professor Steer added that they are cautiously optimistic about conditions further north, suggesting that the ecosystem there may be less conducive to algae: “We are maintaining a strong surveillance on the water sampling regime up in that area with the ability to activate the bubble curtain within 24 hours if necessary.”
