SA Health has been advised of reports of foam and discoloured water at Goolwa Beach, Chiton Rocks and Port Elliott, a few weeks on from first detection in Waitpinga Beach and Parsons Beach.
There have also been reports of people suffering symptoms similar to those reported following recent microalgal blooms in parts of the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Exposure to algae, including through breathing in algae particles (or aerosols) can cause general allergic-type responses including eye irritation as well as respiratory symptoms including coughing. It may also cause skin rashes, while ingestion could cause stomach upsets or flu-like symptoms. These symptoms disappear when the exposure stops or following washing in clean water.
People should avoid swimming in obviously affected areas and avoid contact with discoloured water. If you do enter this water, take care to wash in clean water afterwards.
SA Health advises that fish caught live are safe to eat. However, dead fish and cockles should not be consumed because of decomposition and spoilage.
SA Health, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), and the Department for Environment and Water (DEW) continue to work together in relation to the microalgae bloom on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
On 25 March 2025 the EPA announced that the species Karenia mikimotoi had been identified as the cause of the microalgae bloom on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
For more information go to the SA Health website and the EPA website.
