Sydney, March 15, 2026 9:30 - 12:00 Clovelly Beach NSW Valerie Taylor Ocean Prize recipients Divers for Climate close their Summer of Solidarity at Sydney's Clovelly Aquatic Reserve — marking the first anniversary of a crisis still unfolding on Australia's southern coastline.
March 15th. One year ago today, South Australia recorded the first signs of a harmful algal bloom that has never left its shores. It remains in some areas of the state's coastline, confronting divers every day with the impacts of climate change — yet it has largely disappeared from the national conversation. Today, Australia's dive community is bringing it back.
Hundreds of divers and snorkellers will gather at Clovelly Aquatic Reserve in Sydney for a snorkel-out in solidarity with South Australia's dive community — marking the first anniversary of a crisis still unfolding beneath the surface.
South Australia's dive community and marine tourism industry, spanning from Rapid Bay to Whyalla to Port Lincoln — contributes tens of millions of dollars to the state economy and supports local and regional jobs in communities that have few other industries to fall back on. Since the algal bloom began, operators have been impacted and divers across the state have witnessed significant changes firsthand. Yet, many have been overlooked in the crisis response. This event is about standing with South Australian divers and recognising that what is happening in South Australia could happen anywhere, including Sydney.
"The dive community in South Australia has been living with this algal bloom for a year now. Standing together like this is about showing that they're not facing that alone. Divers around the country are concerned about the future of our oceans and want to see more action on climate now." — Dr. Yolanda Waters, CEO and Founder, Divers for Climate
Research shows harmful algal blooms are becoming more frequent and severe as marine heatwaves intensify, a trend linked to warming oceans driven by the burning of coal and gas. For divers, those changes are not abstract. A national survey of nearly 1,000 divers found that 91% have directly experienced climate impacts underwater, from coral bleaching and algal blooms to shifting species and extreme conditions.
'Australia's coastline supports extraordinary marine life and thousands of livelihoods, from fisheries to tourism. The ocean sustains so much of life here, and with marine heatwaves forecast, many of us in the dive community are worried about what these coastlines could look like in the near future' – Charlie Bennet, TAS Diver and Spokesperson
The Sydney snorkel-out also closes the Summer of Solidarity, a four-month campaign led by Divers for Climate connecting dive communities around the country and raising awareness of climate impacts in Australia's oceans.
"In June, we'll be taking the voices of the dive industry to Canberra. Because the people being directly affected by climate impacts deserve to be heard where decisions are made." — Becky Evers, Spokesperson, Divers for Climate
The event is made possible by Blue World, through the Valerie Taylor Ocean Prize, and Dive Bondi, whose instructors and staff have volunteered their time and expertise to bring the event to life.
