Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
An outbreak of the toxic algae species Karenia mikimotoi is concerning marine experts and conservationists in Australia.
It was first detected off the coast of the state of South Australia in March during a marine heatwave. Since it was identified, the bloom has spread and killed thousands of marine creatures, including sharks, penguins and rays.
Underwater footage captured by local divers showed that the toxic algae have also caused a mass death of fish, coral and seagrass.
In a post on social media, one diver said he found a large dolphin on a beach in Marino, in the south of Adelaide. The diver said the dolphin had washed up on the beach, dead.
This is not a quiet tragedy; it is a national disaster, he said.
Experts are urging the Australian government to take immediate action. But state authorities have suggested nothing can be done to dilute the bloom.
