Australian aquaculture company Clean Seas Seafood has reported elevated mortalities at its Arno Bay hatchery after a significant harmful algae bloom (karenia mikimotoi) was detected at the facility on July 4.
The company stated that the bloom, which has been ongoing for some months in the wider South Australia region affecting marine life, has now impacted its hatchery.
The facility currently holds Kingfish broodstock and the first of four planned intakes for the company's year class 26. Mortalities have been most concentrated among the smallest fingerlings, while the broodstock appear to be less affected.
Clean Seas noted it has long-established contingency plans in place, including holding additional broodstock in sea cages in Port Lincoln. The company also has the operational flexibility to increase the size and number of future year class 26 intakes.
The company's board stated that with these plans, it believes there will be no material reduction in future harvest volumes.