Several beaches have been closed off after a number of dead fish and an odd white foam was washed ashore, as surfers reported feeling unwell.
Dozens of dead fish were discovered washed ashore, as well as a “microalgal bloom”, which is believed to have been created by unusual weather conditions at the time. Waitpinga Beach and neighboring Parsons Beach, close to South Australia state capital Adelaide, have been closed to the public since Monday as a result of the bizarre outbreak. Several people as well as marine life are feared to have been affected by the foam, as investigations in the area continue.
Read also:
- What 9 months trapped in space can do to the body as stranded NASA astronauts return frail and gaunt
- Woman rushed to hospital with toothache – but she was dead just 90 minutes later
- ‘I share a bed with my entire family – it’s the perfect parenting hack and it’s not weird at all’
- Paul Scholes slammed over ‘arrogant and classless’ comments on Newcastle boss Eddie Howe
- Mystery of Prince Harry’s US visa documents decoded as key drugs question remains
Surfers have been complaining since the weekend of sore eyes, sore throats and coughing after contact with the water. Local Anthony Rowland, who surfed at Waitpinga on Saturday, said: “While we were out there, we started coughing. Lots of people reached out – so many people have said they’ve had exactly the same symptoms.”
Marine scientists took water samples from the foam, which is a byproduct of the toxic organisms’ decay, on Monday. However, it could take until the end of the week to identify the organism.
A bloom of microalgae – microscopic, single-celled organisms – could have been caused by a recent extended period of hot and dry weather with little wind and low tides.
South Australian Environment Protection Authority principal scientific officer Sam Gaylard said: “It is very concerning. It is unusual at this scale.
“At this time of year, when the weather conditions allow, we do occasionally get isolated blooms. Something of this scale is definitely a little bit unusual. At the moment, we’re not sure how long this will last.”
He added how a swell has picked up in the area since Sunday, and the turbulence could break up the algae while generating more foam.
A spokesman for the Environment Protection Authority for South Australia, said: “The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is aware dead fish have been found at Waitpinga and Parsons beaches and surfers have reported suffering from health symptoms such as itchy eyes and blurred/misty vision and coughing and breathing difficulties.
“The EPA have received multiple reports that dead fish and seahorses could be found on shore and that there was red staining on the sand and foam on the beaches. The EPA is working with other agencies including PIRSA Fisheries and SA Health to attend the scene and take water samples.
“It is believed the event could be due to a microalgal bloom that has been driven by hot temperatures and still water and an ongoing marine heatwave, with temperatures currently 2.5C warmer than usual, with little wind and small swell contributing to conditions.”
