Did Australian policy prepare for a harmful algal bloom with significant human health impacts? Analysis and lessons from South Australia

A harmful algal bloom (HAB) has spread to a third of South Australia's coasts, has devastated marine life and is affecting human physical and mental health and the fishing and tourism industries. We examine Australian Federal and State environmental and agricultural public policies to determine how well they were prepared to prevent and respond to a HAB with human health consequences. Document analysis techniques were used to examine the framing of 63 Australian public policies selected from a data set of 180. All documents were coded in Nvivo and analysed for their content relevant to HABs. In the policies, we only found cursory mentions of HABs. We identified three main issues in terms of their attention to HABs. First, there was no evidence of policies that would have led to any detailed planning for a HAB. Second, in terms of strategic actions, economic considerations are uppermost. Third, we found little consideration of direct human health impacts or of intersectoral collaboration on the issue. Our policy analysis indicates a lack of attention, and so preparedness, for the South Australia HAB. Public policy in all countries needs to prepare better for climate-related disasters and act faster to reduce global warming.