National assessment of harmful algal bloom preparedness and future needs

The risk of HABs is increasing due to climate-induced changes to the ocean such as marine heatwaves. Australia needs to be better positioned to provide early warning and manage and mitigate the impacts. Science has a clear role to play in underpinning HAB response.

This project will identify gaps in Australia’s HAB preparedness and provide recommendations to build strong science capability to respond to future events. Policy recommendations or state-based risk management activities are out of scope.

The project is a collaboration between the Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Griffith University, University of Tasmania and the South Australian Research and Development Institute, and will work with stakeholders across Commonwealth, state and territory jurisdictions.

It will take the following steps:

• review existing national science capability to research, monitor, forecast, manage and mitigate future HAB events, from environmental and human health (seafood safety) perspectives;
• identify possible changes needed to strengthen this capability;
• assess ongoing knowledge and operational policy needs; and
• provide recommendations to inform the development of a national decision-making framework that can be considered by end-users.

Approach

The project team will consult widely with the three tiers of government, state and national agencies, seafood regulators and industry groups to review Australia’s science and research capabilities in HABs. This project will engage national and jurisdictional

stakeholders and convene a national workshop to examine national HAB coordination and management practices.

Most Australian states and territories have experienced significant estuarine and coastal blooms near population centres. This project will use national and international case studies, and synthesise insights from both marine and freshwater bloom literature to inform preparedness, management and mitigation strategies.

The jurisdictional policy settings around HABs will also be reviewed, and the recommendations of the Parliament of Australia Algal Blooms in South Australia Report – November 2025 will be supported, through:

• national framework development;
• clarification of the coordination between the roles of Commonwealth, states and territories and local governments;
• advocacy for nationally funded research and monitoring; and
• consideration of potential models for achieving this.

The project will also consider Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan (in draft), a whole-of-government framework to coordinate policy on ocean issues.

Expected outcomes

The project will present options for how Australia can improve its HAB preparedness, with a suite of recommendations.

Research users including relevant state agencies, the Government of South Australia and the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water will be provided with:

• a summary of existing science capability and future needs to manage HAB events;
• a summary of existing vulnerabilities in the coordination and preparedness for HAB events across Australia; and
• a conceptual framework for improved national preparedness that prioritises sustained investment in research and risk management capability.

Further reading

Algal blooms in South Australia Report November 2025 on the Parliament of Australia website.

Project location

National