‘A horror movie’: sharks and octopuses among 200 species killed by toxic algae off South Australia

Karenia mikimotoi algae can suffocate fish, cause haemorrhaging and act as a neurotoxin, one expert says

• Get Guardian Australia environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as an email

More than 200 marine species, including deepwater sharks, leafy sea dragons and octopuses, have been killed by a toxic algal bloom that has been affecting South Australia’s coastline since March.

Nearly half (47%) of the dead species were ray-finned fish and a quarter (26%) were sharks and rays, according to OzFish analysis of 1,400 citizen scientist reports.

Get Guardian Australia environment editor Adam Morton’s Clear Air column as an email