A local woman has documented more than 1,000 dead sea creatures on a 500-metre stretch of Glenelg Beach in Adelaide, South Australia.
Johanna Williams began daily monitoring of the beach in late July after returning from holiday to find it covered with dead fish and other marine animals. She takes photographs and uploads them to the citizen science site iNaturalist. So far, she has recorded 1,003 observations, identifying 113 different species.
The deaths are linked to a toxic algal bloom affecting much of South Australia’s coastline since March. More than 20,000 similar reports have been made by other residents through the SA Marine Mortality Monitoring Project.
Williams says the situation is “deeply concerning” and worries about the impact on public health, fishing, tourism, and local businesses.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the bloom has improved in some areas but worsened in others, with 27% of the state’s coastline affected. Testing is underway at 76 locations for harmful algae and toxins, especially near seafood harvesting areas.
The state government has also announced plans for a new $300,000 artificial reef in Gulf St Vincent to help restore marine life and support the fishing industry once the bloom ends.
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