The federal government will invest up to $14 million to combat the effects of the devastating algal bloom affecting state waters, and to improve preparedness for future events.

Environment Minister Murray Watt was in Adelaide yesterday to meet with the state government and inspect the current outbreak.

He says the funding delivers on a request received on Sunday 20 July from the South Australian Government and focuses on four priority areas: science and research, business assistance, community awareness and support and clean up efforts.

“While the science has made clear that there is no quick fix for algal blooms, we are committed to supporting the South Australian community, industry and the environment."

“This funding is an important investment in working with the State Government on the heath and resilience of our oceans and coastal communities.”

"About time" and "it's a start" appears to be the consensus reaction to the announcement among concerned community and action groups, industry and citizen scientists that have been calling for the environmental disaster to be treated as seriously as if it was happening on the east coast of the country..

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins says the federal government is continuing to work closely with the South Australian Government to support fishers and aquaculture operators impacted by this devastating algal bloom.

“Immediate assistance is available to fishers and aquaculture operators experiencing financial hardship, including through the Rural Financial Counselling Service, which can provide free and confidential financial counselling."

“The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation has recently invested in a new project to isolate the culture of the particular algae species currently affecting South Australia to better understand the toxic effects, develop rapid early-warning and detection methods and examine the toxin threats to seafood production.”

The state government has set up a website to provide the latest information and advice on what is happening with the algal bloom, which started affecting the south coast and Kangaroo Island in March and has since spread to the metropolitan coast and Yorke Peninsula.