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Steps to Clean Up the Algal Bloom
Around 30% of SA’s coastline is being impacted by a harmful algal bloom driven by heatwaves, nutrient run-off, and upwelling events. According to Environment Institute members Dr Dominic McAfee and Prof Sean Connell, the bloom is far too widespread for large-scale chemical, physical, or microbial trials. Instead, prevention and resilience are key. Oysters in affected areas are feeding on algae, mussels are cleared of toxins, and SA has committed to restoring 15 hectares of shellfish reefs. As climate change fuels more marine heatwaves and floods, HABs will return. Investing in oyster reef restoration and nature-based solutions could future-proof our coasts.
Restorative Bivalve Aquaculture Offers New Hope for Climate and Coastal Ecosystems
Environment Institute member Dr Alice Jones latest research explores the role of restorative bivalve aquaculture in supporting blue carbon ecosystems and reducing the climate footprint of food production. With over 51,000 bivalve farms now operating globally, there’s growing interest in “blue foods” that offer both nutrition and environmental benefits. Dr Jones’s work highlights how, when carefully designed, shellfish farming can help protect coastal habitats like seagrasses, mangroves, and tidal marshes—all critical to oceanic carbon storage.
[Read more about Restorative Bivalve Aquaculture Offers New Hope for Climate and Coastal Ecosystems]
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