Tag: algal bloom inquiry
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Missed water testing and algal bloom ‘red tape’ under microscope
In 2023, after River Murray floodwaters gushed into the sea near Goolwa, the EPA did not undertake baseline water testing because its principal marine scientist was on leave, the state’s inquiry into the harmful algal bloom heard on Monday afternoon. Scientist Samuel Gaylard, who leads the water testing program, told the committee he took a…
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Algal bloom blamed for SA shark deaths
Necropsy reports of the great white sharks that washed up dead on SA beaches have been revealed with results showing three had cause of death symptoms consistent with exposure to high levels of Karena spp – one of the algae species present in the current devastating bloom. Between April and July, nine great whites –…
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‘Lost trust’ over murky algal bloom timeline
Federal environment department officials told the federal Senate inquiry into the state’s devastating algal bloom on Wednesday they were not aware of the impact of the devastating algal bloom until the end of May despite the issue emerging months beforehand. But it took until July 11 for Environment Minister Murray Watt to be formally briefed…
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Where’s it going? Expert’s grim warning on algal bloom
Methods for controlling harmful algal blooms have only been used on a small scale and a devastating Australian outbreak is likely to continue, a top US expert has warned. Scientist Donald Anderson, who runs the US National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms, visited South Australia in August and gave evidence to a senate inquiry on…
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‘Since Easter’: Fisher claims species has vanished amid algal bloom
Squid has vanished from the Western Fleurieu Peninsula, one fisher said today, in evidence given to the federal senate inquiry into the South Australian algal bloom crisis. The committee, chaired by Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, is holding its final public hearing today in Victor Harbor at the Victor Harbor Bowling Club following hearings in Seacliff…
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Top scientists blame ‘chronic’ underfunding for algal bloom gaps
The leading marine scientists today told the first hearing of the Federal Senate’s inquiry into South Australia’s algal bloom that the current disaster unfolding in South Australia needed a vital boost in marine ecosystem monitoring funding. An initial injection of $6 million would help with short-term projects to take full advantage of researching the ongoing…