By Rachael Merritt

Topic: Marine Biology

Marine biologist Stefan Andrews documents environmental changes at Port Hughes.

In short:

The algae bloom in South Australia is still affecting the Yorke Peninsula.

Government water tests show lower algae levels at Port Hughes.

What's next?

Mr Andrews says there is still much uncertainty about the future.

Fishing is a popular activity in Port Hughes.

The algae bloom is still affecting the ecosystem at Port Hughes.

Marine biologist Stefan Andrews says fish diversity has decreased.

Port Hughes jetty is a popular spot for fishing.

Mr Andrews has been documenting changes in the ecosystem since March.

The algae bloom has caused visible changes to the environment.

Some fish are missing, while others seem slow and sluggish.

The first elevated algae levels were detected on March 30, 2026.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions detected the algae.

Algae levels peaked on April 6 with 16,850 karenia cells per litre.

The SA government considers levels above 10,000 cells per litre as elevated.

Water tests on April 29 showed lower algae levels at Port Hughes.

Algae levels peaked on April 6 with 16,850 karenia cells per litre.

The ecosystem is still being affected by the algae bloom.

The impact of the bloom will be long-term, says Mr Andrews.

The bloom's effects are still uncertain and may continue.

Marine biologist Stefan Andrews says the bloom's impact is long-term.

'Dramatic drop' in business for Port Hughes Fishing Charters.

Owner Thomas Hams says people are scared to go on the water.

Thomas Hams says the bloom affects his fishing charter business.

A ban on southern calamari fishing started on May 1.

A spawning closure is in place for King George Whiting.

Some fish species are abundant, but calamari is reduced.

Customers ask about the bloom's impact on the ecosystem.

The bloom is 'spooking people', says Thomas Hams.

Fuel prices have also affected the fishing charter business.

The business has been hard to maintain with extra costs.

Algae levels have decreased at Port Hughes.

Port Hughes General Store owner Luke Pridham says the bloom was misreported.

The misconception about the bloom affected tourism in the area.

Luke Pridham says the misreporting was disappointing.

Port Hughes General Store owner Luke Pridham.

The store had a busy Easter holiday period despite the bloom.

Fuel prices had a bigger impact than the algae bloom.

The worry about the bloom had a bigger impact than the actual effects.

The bloom's impact is not yet fully known.

Luke Pridham is hesitant to say the bloom has disappeared.

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