Adelaide: An algal bloom catastrophe, turning South Australian waters toxic and causing widespread marine life fatalities, has been declared a “natural disaster” by the state premier. The algal bloom, a rapid algae population surge in water systems, has been expanding since March and now covers an area twice the size of the Australian Capital Territory.

According to BBC, the federal government has announced an assistance package of A$14 million ($9 million; £6.7 million) but has not classified the event as a natural disaster—a designation typically reserved for cyclones, floods, and bushfires that would necessitate a larger response. In response, the state premier announced a matching A$14 million in funding for research, cleanup, and industry support.

Greens Senator for South Australia, Sarah Hanson-Young, has openly criticized the federal government, accusing it of downplaying the situation. “If this toxic algal bloom was wreaking havoc on Bondi Beach or on the North Shore in Sydney, the prime minister would have already been on the beach with a response,” she asserted.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt stated on Monday that although the bloom and its effects are “incredibly disturbing,” it does not meet the legal definition of a natural disaster in Australia. The bloom, stretching from Coorong to the Yorke Peninsula, is devastating the local ecosystem and littering the coast with dead wildlife.

Brad Martin from OzFish, a non-profit dedicated to protecting fishing habitats, described the situation as “like a horror movie for fish.” The event is also severely impacting the local economy, with fishing industry representatives reporting that some members have been without income for over three months. Ian Mitchell, a middleman between fishers and retailers, reported receiving emotional calls from fishermen affected by the crisis.