Governments announce full details of $102.5m algal bloom summer plan
Sea foam along the South Australian coast amid the algal bloom in September. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
In short:
The state and federal governments have released the full details of the summer algal bloom plan, which includes funds for real-time water monitoring.
The federal and state governments are splitting the $102.5 million in funding, which includes $37 million for science and the environment.
What's next?
The summer plan, according to the government, aims to ensure South Australians 'can enjoy their summer'.
Large scale reef restoration, new real-time water monitoring and a $1 million trial of "AI-powered submersible cytobots" are part of a $102.5 million government algal bloom program to ensure "South Australians can enjoy their summer".
The state and federal governments on Tuesday unveiled the final stage of South Australia's $102.5 million algal bloom summer plan, which includes more than $37 million in new funding for science and the environment.
The announcement followed the government announcements on new public communication initiatives on Sunday and coastal tourism and hospitality vouchers on Monday.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said there was no "silver-bullet solution" to the algal bloom, but governments were responding as "best as we are capable of". (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)
The final stage of the plan includes $20.6 million in funding for the environment, including a "large-scale native oyster reef restoration" program along the coast.
There is also more funding to undertake seagrass restoration research in the Gulf St Vincent in a bid to filter excess nutrients from the water.
Dead sea life captured in Ardrossan earlier this year. (Supplied: Great Southern Reef Foundation)
SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said reinstating seagrasses and native oyster reefs would "aid the recovery effort from the harmful algal bloom".
"Science and research is what will best inform good public policy-making when we contemplate the harmful algal bloom," he said.
"Not conspiracy theories on social media, but good, thoughtful science is the best thing we can invest in."
A "targeted" breeding, conservation and fish stocking program will also be funded to protect vulnerable species impacted by the algal bloom.
A breeding and conservation program will be funded to protect vulnerable species impacted by the bloom. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
On top of the $20.6 million is a further $17.3 million for science, research and monitoring.
This includes more funding for "real-time oceanographic water quality monitoring and forecasting" in partnership with the CSIRO, which will require purchasing new monitoring buoys.
The federal government has faced criticism this year for knocking back an earlier request from marine scientists to fund greater monitoring of Australia's southern waters.
The plan to tackle SA's algal bloom over the summer contains more than $100m in funding. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)
Part of the new monitoring is a $1 million trial of "AI-powered submersible cytobots", which the government said would increase the understanding of phytoplankton communities and help develop live detection and early warning systems.
The state government will also establish a $3.2 million Office for Algal Bloom Research and investigate and trial "various algal bloom mitigation techniques", including clay and "gyroid absorbent sponge technology".
"We can't make the algal bloom go away," the Premier said.
"There is no silver-bullet solution here, but what we can do is respond as best as we are capable of."
Plan to ensure 'South Australians can enjoy their summer'
The $37 million in environment and research funding announced today followed several government announcements about the summer plan.
On Monday, the state government unveiled a more than $20 million coastal tourism package, which included a $50 dining cashback scheme and accommodation vouchers worth up to $500 in coastal communities.
On Sunday, the government announced that Surf Life Saving patrols will inspect for foam and discoloured water seven days a week over summer at six metropolitan beaches and two regional beaches.
The Beachsafe app will also provide updates on 23 locations across the state, including whether a beach is clear of abnormal foam, if water is discoloured, and what time the beach was last cleaned.
Government health authorities have insisted commercial seafood is safe to eat. (ABC News: Marco Catalano)
Earlier on Tuesday, the state government announced an $8 million extension of its industry support grants program, which includes grants of up to $10,000 for small businesses or up to $100,000 for fisheries and aquaculture licence holders.
The summer plan, according to the government, has three objectives: to ensure South Australians "can enjoy their summer", to back coastal businesses and communities, and advance research and protect the environment.
The $102.5 million summer plan has been split equally between the state and federal governments.