The South Australian and Federal Governments have jointly announced the $102.5 million Algal Bloom Summer Plan to address the environmental and economic impacts of the harmful algal bloom affecting South Australia’s coasts and gulfs. The plan, funded equally by both governments, aims to protect the marine environment, support coastal industries, and help communities recover.

A major focus is on fisheries and aquaculture recovery, recognising the sector’s significant losses due to the bloom. The package includes an $8 million extension of industry support grants, offering:

• Up to $100,000 for commercial fisheries and aquaculture licence holders who have been unable to harvest or catch their usual yield,
• An additional $25,000 for the hardest-hit operators to support their workforce, and
• Resilience grants of up to $150,000 to help businesses invest in projects that strengthen long-term viability.

These measures are supported by extended licensing fee relief through to June 2026, and new industry research and development programs to help build adaptive capacity across the seafood sector. Recreational fishing programs will also receive investment to encourage sustainable community participation and boost coastal economies.

To support ecological recovery and long-term sustainability, the plan allocates $37 million for science and environmental restoration, including large-scale native oyster reef and seagrass restoration. These projects will improve coastal habitat and water quality, benefiting fish stocks and aquaculture productivity. A targeted breeding, conservation, and fish-stocking program will assist vulnerable marine species impacted by the bloom.

In partnership with CSIRO, the plan will expand real-time ocean monitoring and forecasting, deploying advanced AI-powered submersible cytobots and new oceanographic buoys to improve early detection and management of harmful algal events. A new Office for Algal Bloom Research will coordinate research, trial mitigation technologies, and serve as a national hub for bloom science.

Together, these initiatives represent a coordinated, science-driven effort to restore South Australia’s marine ecosystems, safeguard fisheries and aquaculture operations, and ensure the resilience of coastal communities and seafood industries well into the future.

Read the full media release here: https://minister.dcceew.gov.au/watt/media-releases/joint-media-release-algal-bloom-summer-plan-released

Access the Algal Bloom Summer Plan here: https://www.algalbloom.sa.gov.au/assets/documents/Algal-Bloom-Summer-Plan.pdf?v=1760400128