Locals in a coastal South Australian town gathered in horror around the carcass of a great white shark that is believed to be the latest victim of a killer algae.
Since mid-March, hundreds of fish, sharks, rays, and other marine life have been affected by Karenia mikimotoi algae along the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas and Kangaroo Island, south of Adelaide.
The toxic algae is microscopic and known for its harmful blooms which can also cause illness and irritation in humans.
Months after it first emerged, residents along the coast continue to be shocked by the ongoing crisis in the waters.
Community Facebook page Shark Watch South Australia shared photos and videos of a dead female great white, which was found washed up on the shore on Friday.
A fisheries officer could be seen raising the fish, thought to be roughly 3.7m in length, onto a trailer in Port Broughton, roughly 170 km northwest of Adelaide.
A crowd of adults and children could be seen in footage looking down on the deceased shark, prodding its sharp teeth.
Locals took to the comments section of the Facebook post to share their upset over the death of the shark.
One user called the loss ‘devastating’ while others said the death was ‘such a shame’.
Great white shark the latest marine life to wash up on a beach in Port Broughton, South Australia, after a months-long struggle with a killer algae
Locals have described the loss of the shark as ‘heartbreaking’
A third said: ‘This is absolutely heartbreaking. We have somehow managed to suffocate all the marine life in South Australia.’
The SA Government’s Department for Environment and Water confirmed on Saturday the algal bloom has affected various marine wildlife.
The last large event of this type of algae recorded in South Australia was at Coffin Bay in 2014.
‘It is a major concern that it could keep happening every warm season,’ Dr Christopher Keneally told Daily Mail Australia.
The microbial ecologist, who is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Adelaide, explained there is a risk of the bloom creating a cycle in Australian waters.
‘As we start to see this bloom wrap up, we’re worried that what we’re going to see is some of these cells sink into the sediment and lay dormant until next summer.
‘So, potentially, we might see this go on continuously, or even stop and then come back next summer, and maybe continue year on year.’
Dr Keneally added the news that marine life was washing up on metropolitan beaches, like at Port Broughton, would help raise awareness.
Port Broughton is the latest beach affected by the bloom of Karenia mikimotoi algae, which began in mid-March this year (stock image)
Microbial ecologist Dr Christopher Keneally said there is a risk the killer algae could continue to bloom in cycles in South Australian waters
‘It’s really concerning (and) it makes the issue a little bit more acute,’ the ecologist said.
‘(It means there is) a little bit more knowledge and publicity about it, so something can be done and we can fix it faster.’
Dr Keneally highlighted this is a global issue related to climate change and higher sea surface temperatures.
‘What does fixing it look like? It’s the same as a bush fire,’ he said.
‘All you can do is prepare and forecast and look towards the future and then maybe try and fix the issues around fuel and temperature on a broader scale, globally.’
The Department for Environment and Water has said nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom.
Government agencies are monitoring the situation.
Signs are in place at public entry points to affected beaches and national parks. Beaches remain open.
