Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Authorities in Australia have shut down two beaches in South Australia after a mysterious foam appeared along the southern coastline. The foam potentially causing illness among over 100 surfers and leading to the deaths of marine life in the area.
Health officials have closed Waitpinga Beach and Parsons Beach, located approximately 80 kilometers south of Adelaide due to the foam.
Experts suggest that the mysterious thick foam, which extends for hundreds of meters along the shoreline, may be the result of a surge in microalgae growth triggered by high temperatures, calm waters, and an ongoing marine heatwave.
Local surfers have reported symptoms such as blurred vision, itchy eyes, coughing, and difficulty breathing after coming into contact with the foam.
“The beach was just covered in thick, dense yellow foam with bits of slimy green material along the shore,” said local surfer Anthony Rowland, as quoted by The Guardian on Tuesday (March 18).
Rowland also shared photos of dead marine creatures washed up on the beach, including seadragons, a close relative of seahorses. “There is clear evidence that something unusual is happening in the water,” he said.
Images of the foam show it piled up on rocks and forming swirling streaks of color across the sand. “Some of the foam even had a slight rainbow sheen in its bubbles,” Rowland added.
Rowland described experiencing respiratory issues after surfing over the weekend. “I became really hoarse. It felt like inhaling strong cleaning chemicals, like when you’re scrubbing a kitchen sink. It hit the back of my throat,” he said.
His social media posts about the incident received widespread attention, with reports of more than 100 people experiencing similar symptoms.
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Investigation Underway
A spokesperson for the state’s environmental department confirmed that the beach closures were implemented for public safety while investigations are underway.
“Waitpinga Beach and Parsons Beach, located within Newland Head Conservation Park, will be temporarily closed to the public in response to a fish die-off event in the area,” the spokesperson said, as quoted by Detiknet.
South Australia’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is currently analyzing water samples taken from the foam. Chief scientific officer Sam Gaylard stated that identifying the organisms responsible could take time.
Gaylard noted that the surge in microalgae growth may be linked to the region’s recent hot and dry weather, combined with minimal wind and low tide conditions.
High waves have also been recorded in the area since Sunday (March 16), with turbulence potentially breaking up the algae and generating more foam. Authorities in Australia have urged the public to avoid the affected beaches until further notice as investigations regarding the mysterious foam continue.
(Raidi/Agung)
