The South Australian government is investigating after beachgoers reported irritated eyes and raspy coughs.
More than 100 members of the South Australian (SA) surfer community claim to be suffering a mysterious illness after being exposed to a strange yellowish foam that washed up on local beaches.
The substance was found at Waitpinga and Parsons beaches within the Newland Head Conservation Park.
Surfer Anthony Rowland penned a public post on Facebook where he said the unknown material impacted people in the water and those on shore in the nearby carpark.
“We all experienced a sore throat, dry cough and irritated eyes,” he said on Facebook.
“Some even reported blurred vision. It lasted 24 hours or so.”
Rowland said there was visible evidence something was wrong in the water, and as he collected water samples for testing the full extent of the issue was laid bare.
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“I noticed a lot of different species of fish dead on the beach including a handful of leafy sea dragons,” he said.
The water, according to locals, had become infused with a yellow foam and the tide lines appeared dark green.
Rowland said that even as he held interviews with media at the Victor Harbour Yacht Club, people started coughing and suffering irritation in their throats.
The surfer said he notified various authorities.
Another local took to social media to say they experienced a weird chemical smell near the beaches, which led to a burning feeling in their nostrils and coughing.
In another case, one beachgoer complained of coughing, sneezing and itchy eyes on Waitpinga Beach last weekend.
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Water told The Epoch Times the cause of the issue was still being investigated as beaches remain closed.
“Waitpinga Beach and Parsons Beach within the Newland Head Conservation Park will be temporarily closed to the public in response to a fish mortality event in the area,” they said.
“In the interest of safety, the beaches are being closed by the Department for Environment and Water as a precaution and to assist ongoing investigations by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), the Environment Protection Authority and SA Health.”
The beaches will be re-opened as soon as possible.
Warning signs have been placed at the beaches warning of a “possible health risk from algal bloom.”
The sign warns of breathing difficulties and throat discomfort.
Certain forms of algae, including cyanobacteria, can cause death in marine creatures as well as irritation to human eyes and skin.
