Algal bloom leaves small fishing businesses making as little as $15 a day

Small fishing businesses are bearing the brunt of South Australia's algal bloom, as the devastating marine crisis scares people away from the industry.

Steve Kontos has run Insane Fishing Charters out of Port Victoria for the past six years and has seen business dwindle since the bloom erupted in March.

"Our phone will be ringing with at least a bit of interest. Now there's no interest for three months," he said.

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"It's kind of scary because the algal bloom has obviously affected not just my business, but every other business that comes with it."

In Glenelg, Reel 'N' Deal Tackle owner Troy Chonenko has seen his dozens of customers drop to just one or two.

"Some days we've only done $15 for the whole day," he said.

Chonenko has had to borrow from the bank of mum and dad just to stay afloat.

"I personally haven't ordered any stock other than just little tiny top-ups of a couple $100, because it's simply can't play for bills at the moment," he said.

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The pair believe people have been fearful of consuming fish, despite the state government's reassurances that fish, crabs, prawns, lobsters and squid are safe to eat if they are cleaned and gutted thoroughly before cooking.

"The government took so long to act on it," Chonenko said.

"I haven't pulled up a sick-looking fish yet, or a smelly-looking fish. Everything's all above board," Kontos said.

"The fishing is better than ever, to be honest with you, and it's just a shame that a lot of businesses are being affected by it."

The state government has approved $10,000 grants for businesses affected by the algal bloom, but that is just a drop in the ocean for the two small business owners who fear they may go under.

"It's just a Band-Aid. They need to work on fixing the issue," Kontos said.

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The South Australian government has also approved $8.5 million for a coastal monitoring network, $2 million for a new national testing laboratory, $3 million for a rapid assessment program and $2 million for a community fund.

The unprecedented algal bloom has spread to Adelaide's metropolitan beaches, Port River and West Lakes, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Spencer Gulf, the Coorong's North Lagoon, the coastline between Victor Harbor and Robe and the Eyre Peninsula.

It has killed at least 200 marine animals and caused discoloured water and foam.

The bloom is believed to have been caused by a recent marine heatwave and events dating back to 2022 that brought and lifted nutrients into the sea.

Nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom.

There have been calls to label the algal bloom a natural disaster, with the Greens calling for federal intervention.

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