Update: A Big Step Forward

Since we launched Sea Sick, South Australia’s coast has become ground zero for how climate change shows up in real time, and how communities rally when the ocean’s in trouble.It’s been incredible to see people from all over the country getting behind our mates in SA as this harmful algal bloom crisis drags on.

The State and Federal Governments have stepped up with $102.5 million to protect coastal communities as the algal bloom continues to spread. It’s a huge step forward for surfers, ocean lovers, local fishers and scientists who’ve been living with the impacts for months. Because of your support, we’re stoked to see governments finally:

• Recognising slow-onset climate disasters like algal blooms as events that deserve sustained, long-term support.

• Acknowledging this is a crisis requiring serious investment in science, funding and adaptation.

This is exactly the kind of change we’ve been calling for, and it shows the power of communities coming together to demand action.

While this is a win, the crisis is far from over. Dead fish are still washing up, livelihoods remain on the line, and recovery will take years.

This announcement is an important step, but we must keep standing with South Australian communities as they navigate the long road ahead.

A natural disaster is unfolding

South Australia’s coastline is experiencing a crisis in slow-motion. A massive algal bloom has choked the ocean, silenced surf breaks, and left fishing boats tied to the dock. Sea creatures - from stingrays to leafy seadragons - are washing up dead. And the people who live and work by the ocean? They're getting sick, they’re confused, and they feel ignored.

For months, surfers, fishers, and scientists have raised the alarm. But our leaders have failed to act.

Right now, the federal government can’t declare this event a natural disaster - because the existing framework doesn’t recognise marine ecosystem collapse or harmful algal blooms as disasters. That obviously needs to change.

We’re calling on the Federal Government to update disaster criteria so climate-driven marine events can trigger the support communities need - just like floods, fires and storms.

We call this what it is: A climate-driven natural disaster.