Page Updated: 01 Sep 2026

Harmful Algal Bloom Symposium 2026

Symposium summary

The 2026 Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Symposium, sponsored by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), was held 2–3 June 2026 and brought together over 200 researchers, government agencies, industry leaders, and community members to discuss the unprecedented marine crisis that has been impacting South Australia since March 2025.

The symposium, built on last year’s HAB Science Forum, showcased the significant scientific progress made over the past year, while emphasising the importance of ongoing collaboration to safeguard marine ecosystems and support local industries and communities.

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Symposium presentations

Introduction

Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System – Michelle Heupel (pdf 4.5 MB)

Harmful algal blooms – Christopher Bolch (pdf 3.0 MB)

Drivers

Evaluation of drivers of the 2025 harmful algal bloom event in South Australia – Simon Goldsworthy (pdf 1.7 MB)

Oceanography

Establishing an algal bloom early detection, monitoring and forecasting system – Mark Doubell (pdf 3.0 MB)

Hydrodynamic / biogeochemical / optical modelling of algal blooms – Mark Baird (pdf 2.9 MB)

CSIRO AquaWatch – Integrated coastal water quality monitoring and AI forecasts for SA gulf systems – Nagur Cherukuru (pdf 3.0 MB)

Aquaculture

Global HAB mitigation – Patrick Burke (pdf 1.4 MB)

HAB isolates and cultures from South Australia 2025 – Hai Tran (pdf 1.5 MB)

Molecular tools being applied in the SA HAB event – Sarah Catalano (pdf 1.4 MB)

South Australian clay HAB mitigation trials – Sam Gaylard (pdf 1.0 MB)

Environmental sampling

Citizen science and the bloom – Samantha Sea (pdf 3.3 MB)

Developing Karenia identification and monitoring capability through science – Industry collaborative water sampling – Vinuri Silva (pdf 8.0 MB)

Effects of harmful algal blooms on sharks and rays – Charlie Huveneers (pdf 9.0 MB)

Ecosystem impacts

Assessing the impact of harmful algal blooms on fisheries and fish stocks in Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf – Adrian Linnane (pdf 1.4 MB)

Harmful algal bloom impacts on South Australian benthic habitats – Shannen Smith (pdf 1.8 MB)

Recovery

Community-based shellfish reef restoration – Dominic McAfee (pdf 6.5 MB)

HAB recovery and resilience planning – Chris Beattie (pdf 876.0 KB)

Restorative aquaculture – Aaron Wolf, Brayden McKenzie (pdf 1.5 MB)

Regulatory and policy

Brevetoxin test kits: Initial assessment of performance and possible usage scenarios – Andreas Seger (pdf 1.0 MB)

Challenges for fisheries and aquaculture during the algal bloom – Mechanisms implemented to assist industry – Emily Mellor, Sam Stone (pdf 822.8 KB)

Karenia spp. blooms in New Zealand – Tim Harwood (pdf 1.7 MB)

Health

ANZ Marine HAB Network – Alison Turnbull (pdf 953.8 KB)

National assessment of harmful algal bloom preparedness and future needs – Martina Doblin (pdf 469.0 KB)

Health impacts – David Cunliffe (pdf 204.9 KB)

Public health impacts of the HAB: Shed findings to date – Jacqueline Stephens (pdf 1.6 MB)

HAB Science Forum 2025

The HAB Science Forum was held on 3 June 2025 that was open to the scientific community and brought together leading scientists from state and federal government agencies, national research institutes and universities, and the private sector. Experts from New Zealand on algal blooms also provided valuable insight.

Read the Algal Bloom Science Forum 2025 summary ( PDF 505.6 KB ).