Growing reports of mass cancellations worry South Australia's tourism industry, which welcomes a government support package to tackle an algal bloom crisis.
Hundreds of tourism businesses have been significantly impacted by the algal bloom, the state's peak industry body says, which has killed tens of thousands of marine animals since it was identified off the Fleurieu Peninsula in March before spreading along the coastline.
"What we're seeing in tourism right now is significant cancellations of people undertaking trips to our coastal areas for spring and summer," Tourism Industry Council SA's Shaun de Bruyn said.
"It's very worrying. We have communicated to the government that it's not just now that we're worried about, it's spring and summer."
But it was pleasing to see the government recognising the impacts of the bloom and providing direct support to industry, he said.
Premier Peter Malinauskas on Tuesday announced the SA government will match the $14 million commitment made by federal Environment Minister Murray Watt when he visited the state on Monday.
Mr Watt said the federal money was a "one-off" contribution but the premier said he "will not be using that language, because we don't know what's going to happen".
The package includes $8.5 million for a coastal science and research network that will expand early detection and monitoring of harmful algal bloom species.
A $3 million rapid assessment of fish stocks and fisheries will quantify the impact of the bloom and a new $2 million national testing laboratory in SA will avoid the need to send samples to New Zealand for testing.
Public forums and information campaigns would also deliver timely, accurate and clear communication to industry.
Mr Malinauskas was concerned at misleading information spreading on social media, such as "simplistic but inaccurate theories" about the cause of the algal bloom, such as the desalination plant being turned on.
There will also be $10,000 small business support grants but the overall cap on spending, time frame and criteria is not ready to be released, the premier said.
Opposition Leader Vincent Tarzia said $10,000 fell "far short" of what industries have been calling for, with some fishers not catching a single fish since April.
The federal government has refused to classify the crisis as a national disaster, which would unlock more support, but Mr Malinauskas said he will continue to advocate for the declaration.
