As South Australia deals with its algal bloom, California is dealing with another – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Report on Harmful Algal Blooms and Their Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Global Environmental Crisis

Recurrent and increasingly severe harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been documented along the coastlines of Southern California and South Australia, causing widespread death of marine life. These events represent a significant environmental crisis, posing a direct threat to marine biodiversity and undermining progress toward several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Ecological Devastation and a Threat to SDG 14: Life Below Water

The proliferation of toxic algae is causing unprecedented damage to marine ecosystems, directly contravening the objectives of SDG 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

The Southern California Mass Stranding Event

The 2025 domoic acid algal bloom in Southern California has been identified as the worst in the region’s history, leading to what rescuers call the “largest mass stranding event” ever experienced there related to HABs.

Over 2,000 marine mammal strandings were recorded.
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) reported significant impacts on sea lion and common dolphin populations.
Fatalities were confirmed for larger marine life, including two humpback whales and one minke whale.
The bloom led to severe reproductive losses, with over 85 sea lion fetuses lost at the PMMC hospital.

Global Incidents Undermining Marine Biodiversity

The crisis is not isolated to California, with similar events worldwide highlighting a systemic threat to SDG 14.

South Australia: A bloom of Karenia mikimotoi has killed thousands of fish and other sea creatures by impacting their gills and causing them to drown.
Chile (2016): An algae surge resulted in the death of an estimated 40,000 tonnes of salmon.
Botswana (2020): Hundreds of elephant deaths were linked to cyanobacteria in water sources, demonstrating a cross-cutting impact with SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Climate Change as a Primary Driver, Impeding SDG 13: Climate Action

Expert consensus points to climate change as a primary factor intensifying HABs, making the achievement of SDG 13 (Climate Action) more critical than ever.

Scientific Consensus on Causation

Research biologists and marine scientists have established a clear link between a warming climate and the worsening of HABs.

Professor Gretta Pecl of the University of Tasmania stated that without action to reduce climate emissions, “these kinds of events will be more and more likely.”
Dr. Alissa Deming of the PMMC identified key drivers for the California bloom, which has occurred annually since 2022:
- Increasing marine temperatures.
- Increased nutrients from cold water upwelling.
Kathi Lefebvre, a research biologist at NOAA Fisheries, confirmed that a warming climate is changing the “frequency and length and locations and toxicity of harmful algal blooms.”

Compounding Environmental Factors

The impact of climate change is potentially being amplified by other environmental stressors. Investigations are underway to assess whether runoff from the destructive Los Angeles wildfires contributed to the nutrient load that fueled the recent bloom, linking terrestrial climate impacts directly to marine ecosystem health.

Socio-Economic Impacts and Challenges to SDG 8 and SDG 3

The consequences of HABs extend beyond the environment, creating significant economic and public health challenges that affect SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Economic Consequences and Threats to SDG 8

The economic toll of HABs on coastal communities and national economies is substantial.

The US National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms provides a conservative estimate of $50 million in annual costs for the US.
A 2024 study estimated that the 2018 Florida red tide bloom caused $US2.7 billion in losses to tourism-related businesses alone.
These events threaten the viability of the commercial seafood industry, necessitating robust government monitoring to ensure food safety, a goal aligned with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Health and Well-being Implications (SDG 3)

The blooms pose risks to both animal and human well-being.

Rescue organizations like the PMMC report that managing hundreds of sick and aggressive animals has been “physically demanding and very emotionally taxing” on staff and volunteers.
Protecting human health from toxins like domoic acid, which can accumulate in the food web, remains a high-priority concern for public health agencies.

A Call for Global Action and Enhanced Monitoring

Addressing the HABs crisis requires a coordinated, multi-faceted approach focused on mitigation, monitoring, and international cooperation, in line with the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Current Response and Mitigation Efforts

Government Monitoring: US federal and state agencies maintain surveillance programs to test seafood and protect the public.
Targeted Funding: Australian state and federal governments have pledged a collective $28 million to tackle the South Australian bloom, including funds for enhanced testing.
Emergency Response: Marine mammal centers are providing critical care to affected wildlife but are operating at or beyond capacity.

Recommendations for Achieving Sustainable Development

Experts urge immediate and long-term action to address the root causes and effects of HABs.

Authorities must prioritize global efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing emissions, as this is the fundamental driver of worsening blooms (SDG 13).
Investment in advanced monitoring and prediction systems is needed to help manage and potentially prevent the conditions that support these devastating events.
As climate mitigation will take time, nations must immediately improve and expand toxin testing capabilities to protect human health (SDG 3) and ensure the stability of industries reliant on marine resources (SDG 8).

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

The article’s central theme is the devastating impact of harmful algal blooms on marine ecosystems. It details the death of numerous marine species, including sea lions, dolphins, whales, and fish, directly addressing the goal of conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. The text states, “There have been scores of marine mammals and sea birds injured and killed,” and “the harmful algal bloom on the Southern California coast had significantly impacted sea lion and common dolphin populations and had killed two humpback whales and a minke whale.”

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article explicitly links the increasing frequency and severity of algal blooms to climate change. Experts quoted in the article attribute the blooms to “increasing marine temperatures” and a “warming climate.” This connects directly to the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Professor Gretta Pecl is quoted saying, “If there isn’t something done to mitigate, to reduce climate emissions, warming will continue and these kinds of events will be more and more likely.”

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The economic consequences of the algal blooms are highlighted, particularly the impact on tourism. The article mentions, “A 2024 study estimated losses to tourism-related businesses during the 2018 Florida red tide bloom at $US2.7 billion.” This relates to the goal of promoting sustainable economic growth, as environmental degradation is shown to cause significant financial losses and harm industries that depend on healthy ecosystems.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The article touches upon the potential risks to human health from the toxins produced by the algae, which can accumulate in the food chain. It mentions the need for surveillance to protect the public, stating, “authorities needed to take action now to mitigate the effects of future blooms. ‘What’s going to happen if these blooms are going to be continuing is that there’s going to need to be ways to test for toxins … to protect human health,’ Dr Lefebvre said.” This aligns with the goal of ensuring healthy lives by reducing illness from water pollution and contamination.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
- The article discusses harmful algal blooms, a form of marine pollution. It suggests potential land-based causes, noting, “Investigations are underway if the destructive Los Angeles wildfires in January and the associated run-off have contributed to the bloom.” This directly relates to nutrient pollution from land run-off.
Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration.
- The article describes “the largest mass stranding event” and the death of thousands of sea creatures, which are significant adverse impacts on marine and coastal ecosystems. The efforts of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center to rescue and treat sick animals represent actions to mitigate these impacts.
Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology… in order to improve ocean health.
- The article is built around the insights of scientists and researchers studying the blooms. It mentions that “state and federal governments have pledged a collective $28 million for a suite of measures to tackle the algal bloom, including more funding for testing,” which is a direct investment in research capacity to improve ocean health.

SDG 13: Climate Action

Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- The article presents harmful algal blooms as a climate-related hazard that is becoming “larger, longer lasting and covering a lot larger geographic region.” The discussion of monitoring, management practices, and developing preventative measures are all efforts to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to this hazard.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Target 8.9: By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
- The article implicitly addresses this target by highlighting the negative economic impact on tourism. The “estimated losses to tourism-related businesses during the 2018 Florida red tide bloom at $US2.7 billion” demonstrates how environmental disasters undermine sustainable tourism, reinforcing the need for policies that protect the natural assets tourism depends on.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
- The article discusses the domoic acid toxin produced by algae, which is a hazardous chemical contaminating the water and marine life. The call to “test for toxins … to protect human health” and the implementation of “surveillance to test to ensure seafood is safe for the public” are direct actions aimed at preventing illnesses from this form of water pollution.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

Frequency, scale, and duration of harmful algal blooms: The article notes that blooms are “becoming larger, longer lasting and covering a lot larger geographic region.” Tracking these characteristics would serve as an indicator for Target 14.1.
Number of marine animal strandings and deaths: The article provides specific numbers, such as “over 2,000 marine mammal strandings” and “reproductive losses of over 85 fetuses,” which are direct indicators of adverse impacts on marine ecosystems (Target 14.2).
Funding allocated to marine research and monitoring: The mention of “$28 million for a suite of measures… including more funding for testing” is a quantifiable indicator of investment in scientific knowledge (Target 14.a).

Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

Sea surface temperatures: The article identifies “increasing marine temperatures” and “warm sea surface temperatures” as key drivers. Monitoring this data is a direct indicator of a climate-related hazard (Target 13.1).

Indicators for SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

Economic losses in the tourism sector: The article provides a specific financial figure: “$US2.7 billion” in losses for tourism-related businesses. This is a direct indicator of the economic impact of environmental degradation on sustainable tourism (Target 8.9).
Annual economic cost of harmful algal blooms: The mention of “a conservative estimated cost of harmful algal blooms for the US was about $50 million annually” is another key economic indicator.

Indicators for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

Existence of surveillance and testing systems for seafood safety: The article refers to “good federal and state agencies that can do surveillance to test to ensure seafood is safe for the public.” The implementation and coverage of such systems can be used as an indicator for progress on Target 3.9.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 14: Life Below Water	14.1: Reduce marine pollution, including nutrient pollution. 14.2: Protect and restore marine and coastal ecosystems. 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge and research capacity.	– Frequency, size, and duration of harmful algal blooms. – Number of marine animal deaths and mass stranding events (e.g., “over 2,000 marine mammal strandings”). – Amount of funding allocated to research and monitoring (e.g., “$28 million for a suite of measures”).
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.	– Data on increasing sea surface temperatures. – Frequency and intensity of climate-related hazards like severe algal blooms.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.9: Promote sustainable tourism.	– Monetary losses to tourism-related businesses (e.g., “$US2.7 billion”). – Overall annual economic cost of environmental events (e.g., “$50 million annually”).
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.9: Reduce illnesses from water pollution and contamination.	– Existence and coverage of surveillance systems to test seafood for toxins.

Source: abc.net.au