Stripped of life: the deadly South Australian algal bloom is still spreading one year on

"Since March last year, it has affected 20,000 sq km of coast—an area twice the size of greater Sydney—and ranks among the worst for marine mass mortality globally, killing millions of sea creatures from tiny shellfish to top predators like white sharks."

"It is Australia's first bloom of Karenia cristata, a rare and toxic type of algae deadly to marine life and harmful to human health. The species has only been recorded in two other places worldwide—South Africa, and an island off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada."

"More than 780 species have been affected, including devastating losses of the state's marine emblem, the leafy sea dragon, reported by divers and citizen scientists. The risk of extinction for leafy sea dragons is now being reassessed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature."

Australia is experiencing its largest and most destructive algal bloom in history, persisting for over a year along the South Australian coastline since March. The bloom covers 20,000 square kilometers—twice the size of greater Sydney—and ranks among the worst marine mass mortality events globally. It is caused by Karenia cristata, a rare and toxic algae species previously recorded only in South Africa and off Newfoundland, Canada. The bloom has killed millions of sea creatures, from shellfish to white sharks, and devastated over 780 marine species. Leafy sea dragons, South Australia's marine emblem and unique to southern Australia, face potential extinction, prompting reassessment by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The crisis has profoundly impacted South Australians psychologically.

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