Algal Bloom in Spencer Gulf May Last Longer

ABC Eyre Peninsula reports on the algal bloom.

The topic is Marine Biology.

The report is from Thu 28 May 2026 at 6:30am.

Jochen Kaempf thinks the algal bloom will last longer than first thought.

In short, the bloom is a problem.

An oceanographer predicted the bloom's movement through Gulf St Vincent last year and now expects it to move through Spencer Gulf.

Hundreds of dead fish have been found, worrying citizen scientist Wendy Lambert.

What's next for the algal bloom?

The Department of Primary Industry and Resources SA says the bloom has changed from some modelled scenarios.

The algal bloom that has been a problem since March 2025 will move further through Spencer Gulf.

The gulf is between the Yorke and Eyre peninsulas and was thought to be safe from the worst of the bloom.

Karenia cristata has shown up more on the eastern coastline of Spencer Gulf, worrying some communities.

However, other residents say people should be alert but not alarmed.

New modelling predicts the bloom will grow in the gulf with the harmful brevetoxin moving northward.

The Spencer Gulf is located between the Eyre Peninsula and the Yorke Peninsula.

Dr Kaempf's modelling follows an announcement from the Department of Primary Industries SA about Karenia in Boston Bay.

Elevated levels of Karenia have been detected at seven testing sites on the Eyre Peninsula.

Jochen Kaempf's modelling predicts the bloom will move through Spencer Gulf.

New model predicts the bloom's movement.

In 2025, Dr Kaempf developed a model showing the bloom's movement based on currents and water temperature.

Jochen Kaempf says conditions are similar to last year.

Dr Kaempf has released a new model predicting the bloom's growth into Spencer Gulf.

The model uses temperature, salinity, and currents as a starting point.

The bloom will spread slowly along the west coast of Spencer Gulf.

Dr Kaempf predicted the bloom would last longer than thought.

The algal bloom was declared over, but it has returned.

Jochen Kaempf says this is potentially the second wave of the bloom.

Citizen science helps get results.

Wendy Lambert collects and tests water samples near her home.

Ms Lambert is one of many citizen scientists tracking the bloom.

She found hundreds of dead fish on the beach, including pufferfish and a fairy penguin.

Wendy Lambert works with trained scientists to sample water.

The fish were healthy and shiny, which is concerning.

Ms Lambert saw fish washing up as early as April.

She found a New Zealand octopus washed up near North Shields.

Wendy Lambert funds her research out of her own pocket.

Government and citizen scientists work together.

They can work hand in hand to track the bloom.

Keeping perspective is important.

The District Council of the Lower Eyre Peninsula says people should be alert but not alarmed.

Sacheen Hopewell encourages locals to get information from experts.

Speculation and innuendo can harm the industry and economy.

The council is comfortable that the government is managing the situation.

Elevated levels have been detected, but it's important to keep perspective.

Multiple lines of evidence are needed.

A PIRSA spokesperson says the bloom has evolved differently than modelled scenarios.

The government is aware of Jochen Kaempf's modelling.

Wendy Lambert found a New Zealand octopus washed up.

The bloom has evolved differently, so multiple lines of evidence are needed.

Water testing occurs twice weekly in areas with elevated Karenia activity.

The state government has invested in early detection buoys.

More news from regional SA is available.

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The report is from Thu 28 May 2026 at 6:30am.

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Topics include algal blooms, marine biology, and oceans.

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The report is from Thu 28 May 2026 at 12:00pm.

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