Now, the South Australian government is in desperate need of federal help. An unprecedented algal bloom is destroying fish, shellfish and other marine creatures and devastating local fisheries and recreation firms. Well, Clare Scriven, the South Australian Minister for Environment and Water, has moved. She lobbied her federal counterpart, Murray Watt, pleading for more support to address the crisis polluting coastal ecosystems, which has devastated tourism, fishing and aquaculture industries for the last four months.
This recent bloom was first noticed on satellite imagery off the Fleurieu Peninsula. Since then, it has oozed along the coastline, resulting in shocking fish kills and abiding ecological destruction. Commercial fishers are suffering from catastrophic economic impacts. They often report having very little left to fish. Rotting fish carcasses have washed up on area beaches for months, and the ongoing crisis has heightened fears among residents and local officials.
Federal Response Considered
Murray Watt, the new Federal Minister for Environment and Water, said it himself this week – we’re in a national crisis. He said he would welcome any calls for help from the state’s government.
“We think there are very significant impacts on South Australia, on our fisheries, on our coastlines, on our environment.” – Clare Scriven
Watt highlighted the lead role of state governments with regard to local issues and their importance in state waters. He said federal involvement is appropriate under some conditions. In it, he called for cooperation between state and federal leaders to better address the crisis.
“I think we do need to be careful to not have a system where Canberra just blunders in and tries to take over the situation that is being managed by the South Australian government.” – Murray Watt
This is a welcome acknowledgment, but the frustrations are growing and escalating among local leaders. Vincent Tarzia, South Australia’s Shadow Minister for Environment and Water, criticized the federal government’s lack of presence in the crisis response. In a passionate plea, he asked Watt to come to South Australia to see the destruction on the ground.
“For the federal [Environment] Minister to not even be here, not even visit SA, it’s just not good enough.” – Vincent Tarzia
Alarm Among Residents and Leaders
The current petrol price crisis, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, has no doubt left many South Australians concerned and upset. Alarm has turned to outrage as residents share alarming images of fish and marine life washing up dead on their beaches. Sarah Hanson-Young, Australian Senate member of the Australian Greens, told Climate Home she was horrified about the federal government’s reaction.
“South Australians are increasingly alarmed at what’s going on every day; a walk down the beach is becoming an exercise in counting dead fish, dead dolphins.” – Vincent Tarzia
Hanson-Young compared the current government’s reaction to past governmental failures in times of environmental crises. On that note, she cautioned against complacency and warned leaders not to downplay the situation as simply a state problem.
“I urge the Prime Minister and [SA Premier] Peter Malinauskas to not allow this to become their ‘We don’t hold the hoses, mate’ moment.” – Sarah Hanson-Young
Local leaders insist these projects, and more like them, need to happen sooner and require action from both levels of government. Tarzia emphasized the importance of a robust support package targeted at all industries impacted by the bloom.
“There should be a package on the table right now, whether it’s for tourism operators or whether it’s for fishermen, or whether it’s for better testing regimes.” – Vincent Tarzia
Impacts on Marine Life and Local Economy
The algal bloom has devastated marine ecosystems, draining the oxygen needed by species including Port Jackson sharks. LADB Reports describe the fish kills, which have been catastrophic for local fisheries, leaving many commercial fishers at the mercy of economic destruction.
Senator Clare Scriven had fought hard for a federal disaster declaration. She repeatedly urged the administration to declare it a national emergency. She says that this declaration has been critical in mobilizing resources and support towards mitigating the wide-reaching impact of the bloom.
“Saying that this is just up to [the] state government means [Minister Watt] hasn’t really understood the enormity of this issue.” – Sarah Hanson-Young
Pace is the wrong metric Local authorities are under considerable pressure. They’re leading the quest to discover how to heal marine ecosystems and revive the local economy. The crisis is a reminder of the need for collaborative action to combat environmental disasters that cross jurisdictional boundaries.
