This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y7nze38p5o
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Algal bloom killing marine life in South Australia is 'disaster', premier says | Algal bloom killing marine life in South Australia is 'disaster', premier says |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Before and after footage shows impact of the toxic algae bloom | Before and after footage shows impact of the toxic algae bloom |
| An algal bloom catastrophe which has turned usually pristine South Australian waters toxic green and suffocated masses of marine life is a "natural disaster", the state premier has declared. | An algal bloom catastrophe which has turned usually pristine South Australian waters toxic green and suffocated masses of marine life is a "natural disaster", the state premier has declared. |
| The algal bloom - a rapid increase in the population of algae in water systems – has been spreading since March and is now twice the size of the country's capital territory. | The algal bloom - a rapid increase in the population of algae in water systems – has been spreading since March and is now twice the size of the country's capital territory. |
| The federal government has unveiled an assistance package of A$14m ($9m; £6.7m) but refused to designate the event a natural disaster - a term usually used for cyclones, floods and bushfires and which would trigger a greater response. | The federal government has unveiled an assistance package of A$14m ($9m; £6.7m) but refused to designate the event a natural disaster - a term usually used for cyclones, floods and bushfires and which would trigger a greater response. |
| Authorities say more than 400 species of marine life have died and local industries are suffering. | Authorities say more than 400 species of marine life have died and local industries are suffering. |
| Algal bloom is naturally occurring but is caused by ocean warming, marine heatwaves, and nutrient pollution - all exacerbated by climate change. | |
| "This is a natural disaster and should be acknowledged as such... I think politicians can do themselves a disservice when they get caught up in technicalities," South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Tuesday. | "This is a natural disaster and should be acknowledged as such... I think politicians can do themselves a disservice when they get caught up in technicalities," South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Tuesday. |
| He announced his government would match the federal government's A$14m in funding, with money to go towards research, clean up, and industry support measures. | He announced his government would match the federal government's A$14m in funding, with money to go towards research, clean up, and industry support measures. |
| Some dead fish have been washed ashore | Some dead fish have been washed ashore |
| Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young is among those openly criticising the federal government, accusing them of underplaying the situation. | Greens Senator for South Australia Sarah Hanson-Young is among those openly criticising the federal government, accusing them of underplaying the situation. |
| "If this toxic algal bloom was wreaking havoc on Bondi Beach or on the north shore in Sydney, the prime minister would have already been on the beach with a response," she said. | |
| However, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt on Monday said while the bloom and its impacts were "incredibly disturbing", the catastrophe did not meet the definition of a natural disaster under the country's laws. | However, federal Environment Minister Murray Watt on Monday said while the bloom and its impacts were "incredibly disturbing", the catastrophe did not meet the definition of a natural disaster under the country's laws. |
| The bloom - which now stretches from Coorong to the Yorke Peninsula, an area about double the size of the Australian Capital Territory - is decimating the local environment and lining the coastline with dead wildlife. | The bloom - which now stretches from Coorong to the Yorke Peninsula, an area about double the size of the Australian Capital Territory - is decimating the local environment and lining the coastline with dead wildlife. |
| "It is like a horror movie for fish," Brad Martin - from OzFish, a non-profit organisation that protects fishing habitats - told the BBC in May. | "It is like a horror movie for fish," Brad Martin - from OzFish, a non-profit organisation that protects fishing habitats - told the BBC in May. |
| But the event is also wreaking havoc on the local economy. Representatives of the fishing industry say some of their members have had no income for at least three months. | But the event is also wreaking havoc on the local economy. Representatives of the fishing industry say some of their members have had no income for at least three months. |
| "I've got fishermen in tears on the phone," Ian Mitchell - who works as a middleman between fishers and retailers - told the ABC. | "I've got fishermen in tears on the phone," Ian Mitchell - who works as a middleman between fishers and retailers - told the ABC. |