Small fishing enterprises in South Australia are facing significant challenges due to a damaging algal bloom that has emerged since March, deterring customers from engaging with the industry. Steve Kontos, who operates Insane Fishing Charters in Port Victoria, has observed a drastic decline in business as inquiries have virtually ceased over the past three months. “It’s alarming,” he remarked, noting the absence of interest in his services.
In Glenelg, Troy Chonenko, owner of Reel ‘N’ Deal Tackle, reported his customer traffic has plummeted from a busy flow to just one or two visitors daily. With sales on some days barely reaching $15, Chonenko has even found it necessary to rely on his parents for financial support as he struggles to maintain operations. He has avoided placing stock orders, purchasing only minimal replenishments to stay afloat.
Both Kontos and Chonenko share concerns that fear surrounding the consumption of seafood has escalated, despite government assurances that fish and other seafood are safe to eat when properly prepared. Chonenko has voiced frustration over the government’s slow response to the crisis, while Kontos stated that he hasn’t encountered any visibly sick or spoiled fish, indicating the health of the catch remains intact. He emphasised that fishing conditions may even be better than usual, adding it’s unfortunate that many businesses are still suffering.
In response to the situation, the South Australian government has approved $10,000 grants for impacted businesses, though entrepreneurs view this support as insufficient. Kontos labelled it a mere “Band-Aid”, calling for more comprehensive solutions to address the root of the issue.
The algal bloom has alarmingly spread to several areas, including metropolitan beaches, Port River, and various regions across the Yorke Peninsula and Eyre Peninsula, resulting in the death of at least 200 marine animals along with discoloured water and foam. Environmental conditions such as a recent marine heatwave and nutrient influx since 2022 are believed to have contributed to this unprecedented bloom, with no current methods available to lessen its impact.
Calls for the algal bloom to be classified as a natural disaster have been made, along with requests for federal intervention from the Greens. The current situation threatens the livelihoods of small-scale fishers, diminishing public confidence in the safety of local seafood and highlighting the urgent need for action and solutions.