The South Australian government took months to update health advice after discovering a potentially harmful toxin in the state's algal bloom, according to documents obtained by Four Corners. The bloom, which has affected the coastline for over a year, killed marine life and sickened beachgoers, but officials maintained minimal risk to humans.
Premier Peter Malinauskas reassured the public, stating in October that 'the reality of the algal bloom sometimes isn't nearly as bad as people's perception of it.' He added, 'Let's not scare 1.7 million South Australians from visiting the beach.' However, documents reveal the government knew about brevetoxin in animals for four months before updating health advice.
The first effects emerged in March last year near Victor Harbor, where surfers reported stinging eyes, coughing, and headaches. Local tradie Dale Madden was hospitalized with severe gastroenteritis after swimming nearby. Nearly 100 people reported illnesses on social media, while dead fish, birds, a seal, and a baby dolphin washed ashore.
In early May, three oyster growing regions on Yorke Peninsula were shut down after oysters tested positive for brevetoxins—the first such finding in Australia. On May 5, a great white shark was found dead on Henley Beach, with an autopsy revealing brevetoxins on its gills. The pathologist called it 'an uncommon and significant finding' in an email that raised concerns about the algal species producing brevetoxin.
Despite this, the government did not release the shark's pathology findings for almost four months, and only after a Freedom of Information request. Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier compared the symptoms to 'pepper' in the eyes, saying it stings but is not toxic. Experts criticized the delay, with Professor Shauna Murray from UTS stating the oyster discovery 'should have been a break glass moment.'
