In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders chat with Sam Gaylard, Principal Marine Scientist at the South Australian Environment Protection Authority. Sam shares insights from his fascinating career at the EPA and breaks down the science behind one of the state's most talked-about marine events: the recent harmful algal bloom. From monitoring water quality to responding to environmental change, Sam offers a unique perspective on how we protect our coastal and marine environments.

During the episode we talk about how the public can play a role in monitoring marine health during the algal bloom. If you spot any dead marine animals along South Australia's coast, you can upload photos and details to iNaturalist to help track marine mortality events. Contribute here: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sa-marine-mortality-events-2025

Any large scale fish kills contact the PIRSA fishwatch hotline - https://pir.sa.gov.au/recreational_fishing/reporting

Follow us on Instagram: @oceanpod

Get in touch: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au