The Killing Fields – Ben Alldridge

In March 2025, a significant harmful algal bloom (HAB) developed off of the South Australian coast, and has been ongoing since. These blooms, consisting primarily of brevetoxin-producing dinoflagellates of the Karenia genus, have caused widespread fish kills and significant impact to regional tourism and aquaculture. In August 2025 while visiting for the annual Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition in Adelaide, myself and fellow finalist Dave Sanderson found ourselves along the shores of Glenelg – one of the city’s most prestigious locales – and were greeted with the harrowing scenes of mass mortality in full swing. The contrast of the scenes unfolding before us against the holiday houses along the street behind us was incredibly humbling.

Evidence

Place and series facets