<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The cry for help from South Australians over the state's sick coastlines has finally been heard, with the federal government stepping in with a $14 million assistance package to aid in dealing with and recovering from the devastating algal bloom.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The funding announcement came as federal Environment Minister Murray Watt visited South Australia and one affected area.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"[The assistance package] will involve, as I say, science and research, business assistance, clean up of beaches and community awareness," Watt said. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/central-highlands-crash-four-dead-including-two-children-queensland-news/5412e339-96f8-447d-bdcf-4810494ff73b" target="_blank"><strong><span>Father and two kids among four killed in horror head-on crash in Queensland</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, specific details regarding the allocation of funds remain unclear.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Protestors gathered outside the State Administration Centre where Watt addressed the media. A key point of contention revolves around classifying the algal bloom as a natural disaster, which would unlock further funding.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>However, the federal government has stopped short of taking that step.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/federal-government-announces-14-million-relief-package-for-toxic-algal-bloom/ee4cffaa-799c-441c-bbb3-9ff34ada6025" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"As the Commonwealth's natural disaster framework currently exists, it doesn't consider an event like this to be a natural disaster," Watt said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The South Australian fishing industry, while welcoming the federal assistance, has expressed concerns about potential long-term damage to its reputation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/hecs-debt-reduction-how-it-will-change-your-pay-from-july-this-year/763cad42-a590-424e-b7f0-a4920cecb367" target="_blank"><strong><span>Millions of Aussies just days away from having their debt slashed</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fishers are worried consumers could be deterred from buying South Australian seafood.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We just want to let the public know that our seafood is safe to eat," said Streaky Bay fisherman Jeff Schmucker. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Premier Peter Malinauskas echoed this sentiment, saying, "All of the South Australian seafood that we put on the market is not just safe to eat, it's of the highest quality of anywhere in the world".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The state government is also considering providing financial support for the recovery effort, with a decision expected following an emergency cabinet meeting tomorrow.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of </span></em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>