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 Worsening Global Environmental Crisis

Recent mass mortality events involving marine wildlife along the coasts of Southern California and South Australia highlight a critical environmental issue with profound implications for several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These incidents, characterized by the beaching of deceased sea lions, dolphins, and whales, are attributed to the proliferation of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). This report details the ecological, economic, and social impacts of these events, framing them within the context of SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and other related goals.

Ecological Devastation and the Threat to SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

The unprecedented scale of marine life deaths represents a direct assault on marine biodiversity and the health of ocean ecosystems, undermining the core objectives of SDG 14 (Life Below Water). The goal to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources is critically threatened by the increasing frequency and intensity of HABs.

Case Study: Southern California’s Historic Algal Bloom

The coast of Southern California is experiencing its most severe domoic acid algal bloom in recorded history, leading to what rescuers describe as the “largest mass stranding event” ever associated with a HAB.

• Impacted Species: Significant mortality and injury have been recorded among California sea lions, long-beaked common dolphins, humpback whales, and a minke whale.
• Causative Agent: The bloom consists of algae that produce domoic acid, a neurotoxin that causes seizures, aggressive behavior, and death in marine mammals.
• Biodiversity Loss: The Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) reported over 2,000 marine mammal strandings. The event also caused severe reproductive losses, with over 85 pregnant sea lions losing their fetuses, representing a significant blow to future populations and a direct setback for SDG 14.

Global Parallels and Systemic Risk

The crisis is not isolated to California. Similar events across the globe demonstrate a pattern of escalating threats to marine and terrestrial life.

• South Australia: A bloom of Karenia mikimotoi has killed thousands of fish and other sea creatures by damaging their gills and causing suffocation.
• International Incidents: Past events linked to algal blooms include the death of 40,000 tonnes of salmon in Chile (2016) and the deaths of hundreds of elephants in Botswana from cyanobacteria (2020).

Root Causes: Climate Change and Land-Based Pollution

Experts have identified key drivers for the intensification of HABs, linking them directly to anthropogenic activities that contravene global sustainability targets.

The Central Role of SDG 13 (Climate Action)

There is a scientific consensus that climate change is the primary catalyst for the worsening HABs, making urgent climate mitigation efforts under SDG 13 (Climate Action) essential to protecting marine life.

• Warming Waters: Research biologist Kathi Lefebvre of NOAA Fisheries confirms that a warming climate is altering the frequency, duration, geographic range, and toxicity of HABs.
• Favorable Conditions: The combination of warmer sea surface temperatures and increased nutrients from cold water upwelling has created ideal conditions for blooms to occur annually since 2022, with each event growing in scale and impact.

Contributing Factors and SDG 11/15 (Sustainable Communities/Life on Land)

The problem is exacerbated by land-based activities, highlighting the interconnectedness of terrestrial and marine ecosystems as outlined in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Nutrient Runoff: Investigations are underway to assess the contribution of runoff from the destructive Los Angeles wildfires, which may have introduced excess nutrients into coastal waters, fueling the algal blooms.

Socio-Economic and Health Consequences

The impacts of HABs extend beyond the environment, inflicting significant economic damage and posing risks to human health, thereby affecting progress on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Economic Disruption and SDG 8

The economic fallout from these environmental disasters is substantial, threatening coastal economies and livelihoods.

• Direct Costs: The US National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms estimates a conservative annual cost of $50 million in the United States.
• Tourism Losses: A 2018 red tide bloom in Florida was estimated to have caused $2.7 billion in losses to tourism-related businesses, demonstrating the severe economic threat to industries reliant on healthy marine environments. This directly undermines the goal of sustainable tourism and economic growth envisioned in SDG 8.

Public Health Risks and SDG 3

The toxins produced by HABs create public health challenges and place a strain on emergency responders.

• Food Safety: Domoic acid can accumulate in seafood, posing a significant risk to human consumers if not properly monitored.
• Mental Well-being: The PMMC described the rescue efforts as “physically demanding and very emotionally taxing” for staff and volunteers, highlighting an often-overlooked impact on human well-being under SDG 3.

A Call for Action: Monitoring, Mitigation, and Global Partnerships (SDG 17)

Addressing the HAB crisis requires a multi-faceted approach grounded in science, policy, and international cooperation, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Proposed Strategies and Immediate Needs

Experts and government agencies have outlined a series of necessary actions to manage the current crisis and mitigate future events.

1. Enhance Monitoring and Management: Dr. Alissa Deming of the PMMC stresses the high priority of robust federal and state surveillance to test seafood and ensure public safety, aligning with SDG 3 and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
2. Invest in Mitigation and Research: Governments are beginning to respond, with a collective pledge of $28 million in South Australia for enhanced testing and research.
3. Develop Preventative Measures: A global focus on creating best management practices is needed to prevent the conditions that support these devastating blooms.
4. Strengthen Global Collaboration: The crisis necessitates improved partnerships between governments, scientific bodies, and conservation groups worldwide to share data and develop effective strategies, embodying the spirit of SDG 17.

The Urgency of Climate Action

Ultimately, experts warn that without decisive global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change (SDG 13), reactive measures will be insufficient. The continued warming of the planet will ensure that HABs become more common and destructive, further jeopardizing marine ecosystems (SDG 14), coastal economies (SDG 8), and human health (SDG 3).

SDGs Addressed 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 extensively details the death and injury of marine life, including sea lions, dolphins, and whales, directly addressing the goal of conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article explicitly links the increasing frequency, severity, and geographic spread of these harmful algal blooms to climate change. Experts quoted in the text state that “warming climate is changing the frequency and length and locations and toxicity of harmful algal blooms” and that “increasing marine temperatures” are a key driver, connecting the issue directly to the need for urgent climate action.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The economic consequences of the algal blooms are highlighted, particularly concerning the tourism industry. The article cites a study estimating “$US2.7 billion” in losses to tourism-related businesses during a previous bloom, which relates to the goal of promoting sustainable economic growth and sustainable tourism.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article touches upon the potential risks to human health. It mentions the presence of domoic acid, a toxin, and the need for government agencies to conduct surveillance and testing “to ensure seafood is safe for the public” and “to protect human health,” which aligns with the goal of reducing illnesses from water pollution and contamination.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. 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.
     
     Explanation: The article identifies harmful algal blooms as the primary issue, which is a form of marine pollution. It also mentions potential land-based causes, such as “more nutrients from cold water upwelling” and investigates whether “run-off” from the “destructive Los Angeles wildfires” contributed to the bloom.
   • Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts… and take action for their restoration.
     
     Explanation: The article describes the failure to protect marine ecosystems, evidenced by the “largest mass stranding event” in Southern California’s history, with “scores of marine mammals and sea birds injured and killed.” The rescue efforts by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) represent actions for restoration.
   • Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology…
     
     Explanation: The article emphasizes the need for more research and monitoring. It quotes experts calling for “more funding for testing” and better “surveillance to test” for toxins. The work of research biologist Kathi Lefebvre at NOAA Fisheries, who has been “studying harmful algal blooms for 25 years,” exemplifies the need for increased scientific knowledge.

2. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
     
     Explanation: The harmful algal blooms are presented as a recurring and worsening climate-related natural disaster. The article states, “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,” highlighting the need to build adaptive capacity to these events.

3. 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.
     
     Explanation: The article implies a threat to this target by citing the massive economic damage to tourism. A “2024 study estimated losses to tourism-related businesses during the 2018 Florida red tide bloom at $US2.7 billion,” demonstrating how environmental degradation undermines sustainable tourism.

4. 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.
     
     Explanation: The article discusses the presence of “domoic acid,” a toxin produced by the algae that can cause seizures and death in mammals. The call for authorities “to test for toxins … to protect human health” directly relates to mitigating the health risks from water contamination.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. For Target 14.1 (Reduce Marine Pollution)

   • Indicator: Frequency, geographic scope, and duration of harmful algal blooms.
     
     Explanation: The article implies this metric by stating the blooms are “seemingly becoming larger, longer lasting and covering a lot larger geographic region.” Tracking this would measure the extent of the pollution.

2. For Target 14.2 (Protect Marine Ecosystems)

   • Indicator: Number of marine animal strandings and deaths.
     
     Explanation: The article provides specific numbers, such as “over 2,000 marine mammal strandings” and the deaths of sea lions, dolphins, and whales, which serve as direct indicators of ecosystem health and the severity of adverse impacts.
   • Indicator: Reproductive success rates of affected marine species.
     
     Explanation: The article mentions “reproductive losses of over 85 fetuses born and lost,” providing a clear, measurable indicator of the long-term impact on animal populations.

3. For Target 8.9 (Promote Sustainable Tourism)

   • Indicator: Economic losses in the tourism sector due to environmental events.
     
     Explanation: The article quantifies this impact by citing an estimated loss of “$US2.7 billion” for tourism-related businesses during a similar event, which can be used as an indicator of the economic vulnerability of the tourism sector to such disasters.

4. For Target 14.a (Increase Scientific Knowledge)

   • Indicator: Funding allocated for research and monitoring programs.
     
     Explanation: The article 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.” This financial commitment is a direct indicator of investment in research capacity.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

SDGs	Targets	Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article
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, duration, and geographic size of harmful algal blooms. Number of marine mammal strandings (e.g., “over 2,000”). Number of animal deaths and reproductive losses (e.g., “over 85 fetuses lost”). Funding allocated for testing and research (e.g., “$28 million pledged”).
SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.	Occurrence and severity of harmful algal blooms as a climate-related disaster. Rising marine temperatures mentioned as a key driver.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.9: Promote sustainable tourism.	Economic losses to tourism-related businesses (e.g., “$US2.7 billion” in a past event).
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.9: Reduce illnesses from water pollution and contamination.	Implementation of surveillance and testing of seafood for toxins (e.g., domoic acid) to protect human health.

Source: abc.net.au