A devastating toxic algae bloom in South Australia has turned clear coastal waters into murky green zones of death, killing marine life by the hundreds of species and crippling local industries. Now, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is calling it what he believes it truly is: a natural disaster.

The bloom—an explosion in algae population due to warming seas, marine heatwaves, and nutrient pollution—has been spreading since March. It now covers an area twice the size of the Australian Capital Territory, stretching from Coorong to the Yorke Peninsula. Along its path, marine life has been decimated and shorelines are littered with dead fish, including pufferfish and other species.

Political Tension Over Definition of Disaster

Despite its devastating environmental and economic toll, Australia’s federal government has refused to classify the event as a natural disaster, a term typically reserved for floods, bushfires, and cyclones. Such a designation would unlock broader emergency funding and response mechanisms.

Premier Malinauskas disagrees with the technical hold-up. “This is a natural disaster and should be acknowledged as such,” he told ABC on Tuesday. “Politicians do themselves a disservice when they get caught up in technicalities instead of responding to reality.”

Funding Announced, But More Demanded

To date, the federal government has announced a A$14 million ($9 million USD) relief package. South Australia has pledged to match the funding, bringing the total to A$28 million. The money will support cleanup operations, scientific research, and assistance for impacted industries.

However, critics argue the federal response has been sluggish and insufficient. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young slammed Canberra’s stance: “If this toxic bloom was hitting Bondi Beach or Sydney’s North Shore, the Prime Minister would already be standing on the beach with a press conference and a plan.”

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt, while acknowledging the bloom’s “incredibly disturbing” impact, said it still does not legally qualify as a natural disaster under current frameworks.

Environmental and Economic Devastation

Environmental advocates and industry insiders are sounding the alarm. Over 400 species of marine life have died, including fish, invertebrates, and other coastal organisms.

“This is like a horror movie for fish,” said Brad Martin of OzFish, a nonprofit focused on habitat conservation.

The economic impact has been equally brutal. Fishermen have reported zero income for over three months, with the toxic waters rendering their catch inedible or inaccessible.

“I’ve got fishermen in tears on the phone,” said Ian Mitchell, who helps link fishers to retailers. “They’re desperate. Their livelihoods are drying up as fast as the coastline is dying.”

A Climate Wake-Up Call

Though algal blooms are naturally occurring, scientists are pointing squarely to climate change as a key driver. Warmer oceans and increased nutrient runoff are intensifying the frequency and severity of these outbreaks.

“This isn’t a one-off,” warned a marine ecologist from the University of Adelaide. “We’re likely to see more of these events if we don’t address climate change and water pollution seriously.”

What’s Next?

In response to the disaster, new marine protection strategies and long-term ecosystem monitoring efforts are expected to be introduced. The state government has also handed temporary control of cleanup and response operations to emergency agencies typically used during bushfires or floods.

But for many coastal communities, action can’t come soon enough.

“It’s not just fish dying out here,” said one local resident. “It’s our future.”