Off the coast of South Australia, more than 8,000 sharks and rays have died as a result of a massive bloom of toxic algae. This is considered the largest recorded mass mortality event for these animals.
Sea-news.az reports this with reference to “The Guardian.”
According to the information, the ecological disaster caused the death of 31 species of sharks and rays. Among the casualties are rare species facing the threat of extinction.
The disaster was caused by an unusually intense bloom of microalgae belonging to the genus “Karenia,” starting in March 2025. Scientists estimate that the event has affected more than 800 animal species.
Professor Charlie Huveneers of Flinders University stated that the scale of the incident is unprecedented. According to him, previously abundant shark populations in some areas have virtually disappeared. Scientists fear that the recovery of certain species could take many years.
Researchers point to a prolonged marine heatwave accompanied by rising water temperatures as one of the factors triggering the algal bloom.
