SA’s ‘underwater bushfire’ devastating marine life and threatening human health

Tens of thousands of dead fish and other marine life were washed on South Australian beaches, and after being exposed to sea spray, there were many reports of people who had respiratory problems.

The reason is an invasion of a harmful algae blooming (Hab) defined like Karenia Mikimotoi This destroys sea life, closing fishing and aquaculture breeding and affecting access to SA’s beaches for several months.

According to Marine Ecologist Dr Dominic McafeeSA’s current activity looks like a “forest fire ..

Dr mcafee said IA:

“The scale of this burns and destroys underwater forests and sea ecosystems. And we need something similar to how we react to forest fires on land.”

While algae flowers occur naturally in waterways, when environmental conditions allow, events that damage the environment by consuming oxygen in water, which produce excessive toxins that cause large -scale fish and animal deaths occur.

Southern Australia’s harmful algae blooming was detected on Adelaide’s West Lakes and Port River, Spencer Gulf, Kangaroo Island, Coorong’s Northern Lagoon and Robe from Victor Port.

Harmful algae flowers deteriorate due to ocean warming, sea heat waves and food pollution. They occurred in the world Botsvana (350 elephants die after drinking affected water) Mexican And North pole circleand even creating what is knowndead areas“, Can not support any life like Baltic SeaWhen it is affected by more than 70,000 square kilometers.

In a disturbing way, Habs is also linked For several degenerative disease.

IA Many people, including dr mcafee and meAMark David and his colleagues and friends experienced painful eyes, straits and respiratory problems.

At the Port of Victor, Bloom’s effects forced the temporary closing of Victor Harbor Horse drawn tram with the following. announcement:

Due to the blooming algae, the tram will be closed until the next announcement. When waiting for more information from official sources, please note that it is cautious.

The safety of our horses and staff is very important.

According to Southern Australian health authorities, this flower non -toxic People – to ensure that you do not consume dead fish – but the exposure can cause temporary skin, eye and lung irritation.

However, although much is not known about long -term health effects, exposure to such flowers linked Increased incidence of various neurodegenerative diseases, including motor neuron disease (MND).

This is due to a toxin known as BMAA (β-metelamino-l-Alanin) detected In previous algae flowers in Australia.

The question of whether BMAA is in the existing harmful flowers of SA and whether the authorities tested for the existence of the authorities was put in the primary industries and regions department (PIRSA), but IA He has not received an answer to this question yet.

IA PIRSA spoke to CEO professor Mahdi DoroudiHe explained that a special task force was established to monitor and address harmful algae flowers:

“We have been blooming since March and we will investigate more, we will increase underwater observations to better understand the potential effects on the ecosystem.”

SA GOVT established a special task force and provided financial support to the affected industries. In addition, researcher increased resources, including focusing. Integrated Marine Observation System (IMOS) Ecologically important areas.

Algae flowers can be triggered by excessive foods, IA It was asked if there was any plan to reduce the nutrients caused by agricultural flow, sewage and rainwater discharge.

Professor Doroudi said that there was no plan to change them:

Discharges are closely monitored and do not change for years.

The affected areas have been significantly affected by unprecedented 2.5 to 3 degrees high ocean temperatures in South Australian waters.

This has come together to create an environment for the blooming of these microorganisms, as well as cold waters, as well as drought conditions with long -term sunlight.

Professor Doroudi added:

We will collect more data to better understand potential effects.

In addition, we work with federal government, CSIRO and other agencies and colleagues across the country and we are in the process of connecting with. UNESCO And FAO In addition, learning and sharing the current information and how to use the best use of the decision -making process.

Sarah Hanson-Yung, Green Senator for Southern Australia, called on Prime Minister Albania to declare a national disaster and to separate important national resources to deal with extreme incident.

Senator Hanson-Yung said:

“Every day there were dead fish in Bondi Beach, there would be a national scream and response. Southern Australians deserve the same support from our federal government to the Eastern coastal states.”

Dr mcafee says:

This is an unprecedented event on a large scale, and it is very important that the eyes come under the water, because what we see on the surface and beaches is probably the visible part of the iceberg.

We need more investment in systematic sea monitoring on a much larger scale.
And since climate change will continue to reveal these disasters, more research capacity to collect comprehensive data to develop more predictive tools.

As an environmental activist Paul Watson warned– “If the oceans die, we will die”.

Visit the following for public health advice in Southern Australia: Water Quality Warnings | SA HEALTH.
For regular algae Bloom updates: Environment and Water Department – SA Harmful Algae Bloom Update.

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