South Australian Parliament Releases Harmful Algal Blooms Report Amid Election Buzz and Allegations

The South Australian Parliament's Joint Committee on Harmful Algal Blooms has released its final report, proposing 11 recommendations as the state approaches an election scheduled for March 21. Among the key proposals is a fishery licence buyback scheme, aimed at assisting impacted fishers. This follows allegations from ecologist Faith Coleman of government interference in investigations into the bloom's causes, claims which the government has denied. Dr. Coleman subsequently resigned from two government advisory panels, citing an adversarial approach. The report's findings have also drawn dissenting statements from committee members regarding the government's response.

The committee's report, released just weeks before the state election, proposes significant measures for the fisheries sector and ongoing ecological assessment.

Committee Delivers Final Report with 11 Recommendations

The Joint Committee on Harmful Algal Blooms, established in September and chaired by Greens MLC Robert Simms, has issued its final report containing 11 recommendations. This report follows a similar inquiry conducted by the Senate last year.

Key Proposals Include Fishery Buyback Scheme

Among the critical recommendations put forth by the committee are:

• Consideration of a fishery licence buyback scheme for impacted fishers.
• Making a limited number of low-cost or no-cost licences available for temporary re-entry into the industry when fish stocks improve.
• Implementation of restocking plans to aid recovery.
• Establishing a long-term assessment program for the ecological effects of the bloom.
• Reviewing staffing across agencies to address gaps in water monitoring and research capacity.
• Introducing regular reporting regimes for relevant agencies to ensure transparency and accountability.

Allegations of Investigation Delays Fuel Controversy

During a hearing of the committee, estuarine ecologist Faith Coleman made serious allegations. She claimed that she had been informed by three public servants from different state agencies that they were asked to postpone investigations into the algal bloom's cause until after the "March state election."

Dr. Coleman later clarified that while she possessed "no evidence that that is the case," she considered the claims sufficiently concerning to raise them publicly.

Government Denies "Slow Down" Directive

Environment Minister Lucy Hood firmly rejected Dr. Coleman's statements, describing them as "incorrect." Minister Hood stated there was "no directive to go slow" on the government's response to the bloom. She cited a "$100 million summer plan" as evidence of active research, monitoring, and testing.

The government's publicly available position attributes the bloom to three environmental factors: River Murray floods, cold water upwelling introducing nutrients, and an unprecedented marine heatwave.

Opposition MP Nicola Centofanti called for an investigation into Dr. Coleman's allegations. Centofanti stated that the suggestion of politically motivated delays in scientific work warrants a response from the premier and an inquiry into potential directives to multiple agencies. Previously, experts had indicated it was premature to determine the specific cause of the algal bloom. Newer research, pending peer review, has identified Karenia cristata as a predominant species within the bloom.

Ecologist Resigns, Citing "Adversarial" Approach

Dr. Faith Coleman resigned from two South Australian government panels: the SA HAB (Harmful Algal Bloom) Scientific Advisory Committee and the SA Algae Bloom Reference Group. She cited what she described as an "adversarial" rather than "collaborative" approach from the government.

In her resignation letter, Dr. Coleman stated that Premier Peter Malinauskas and Minister Hood had indicated an adversarial approach under the newly restructured cabinet. She added that her committee membership was used to discount her testimony rather than as an opportunity for collaboration. Minister Hood accepted the resignation and denied taking an adversarial approach, stating her previous comments were intended to correct the assertion of a government directive to slow investigations.

Dr. Coleman expressed support for the efforts of public servants despite resource cuts, but identified a "gap in clearly articulating the causes of the bloom," which was first detected in March 2025. Minister Hood affirmed the government's commitment to listening to experts in its response to the algal bloom.

Dissenting Views Emerge on Government's Response

The committee's report included dissenting statements from several members, highlighting varying perspectives on the government's actions. Committee chair Robert Simms, while endorsing the recommendations, expressed concerns that the report did not explicitly highlight "deficiencies in the State Government's response." He cited evidence presented to the committee regarding slow response times and data collection gaps.

Liberal MPs Nicola Centofanti and Matt Cowdrey contended that the report did not adequately address "the scale of government failure," including issues with baseline monitoring and communication delays.

Dr. Faith Coleman, who testified before the committee, described the report's recommendations as "all pretty vanilla" in an interview. She reiterated concerns about a lack of transparency regarding access to data gathered before the bloom's discovery, stating these concerns were not addressed in the report's recommendations.

Fisheries Sector Calls for Urgent Action and Buyback

While the algal bloom is largely absent from metropolitan beaches and monitoring sites, it continues to affect other parts of the state. Seafood Industry South Australia (SISA) informed the committee that the bloom has had significant impacts on the state's seafood sector, describing it as a major ecological, economic, and social challenge. The industry has advocated for investment in calamari, whiting, garfish, and snapper units across Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf, alongside buyback implementation, licence rationalization, and resource reallocation.

Bart Butson, a marine scale fisherman based in Port Wakefield, stated that a buyback scheme is "much needed and wanted" due to the slow recovery of fish stocks and desperation among fishers. He noted that such a scheme could offer options for older fishers to retire or younger fishers to address debt and pursue other careers.

Political Proposals for Industry Support

In late 2025, the South Australian opposition proposed a $21-million voluntary fisheries buyback scheme if elected, aiming to assist commercial fishers in leaving the industry during the bloom. Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven stated that the Labor government has invested $500,000 to investigate the feasibility of a buyback scheme, emphasizing the goal of ensuring a sustainable fishing industry both ecologically and financially.

Bloom Status Update Ahead of State Election

Recent data indicates low or no levels of Karenia, a type of algae, at 17 of 21 metropolitan sites and many regional testing sites. Elevated levels were recorded at Waitpinga Beach, Stokes Bay Boat Ramp, and Fitzgerald Bay, while results for Yorke Peninsula were pending.

Dr. Faith Coleman, a key figure in the bloom discussions, is an upper house candidate for the upcoming South Australian election, which is scheduled for March 21.