The South Australian government is investigating after beach fans reported irritating eyes and harsh coughs.
More than 100 members of the South Australia (SA) surfer community claim to be suffering from a mysterious illness after being exposed to strange yellowish foam washed away on local beaches.
The substance was found at the beaches of Waipinga and Parsons in Newland Head Conservation Park.
Surfer Anthony Roland wrote a post published on Facebook where he said unknown material had affected people underwater and the nearby parking shore.
“Some people even reported blurry eyesight. That lasted about 24 hours.”
Roland said there was visible evidence, something was wrong with the water, and when he collected water samples to test the full extent of the problem, he was exposed.
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“I noticed many different species of fish died on the beach.
According to locals, the water was injected with yellow foam, and the tide lines looked dark green.
Roland said that even when he interviewed the media at the Victor Harbor Yacht Club, people started coughing in their throats and getting irritated.
Surfers said he notified various authorities.
Another local went to social media and experienced a strange chemical smell near the beach, bringing the feeling of burning in nostrils and coughs.
In another case, one beach fan complained of coughing, sneezing and itching at Waitpinga Beach last weekend.
A spokesman for the Environment Agency said that during the Epoch era the cause of the problem is still being investigated as beaches remained closed.
“Weiping Beach and Parsons Beach within Newland Head Conservation Park will be temporarily closed to the public in response to fish death events in the area,” they said.
“For safety reasons, the beaches have been closed by the Ministry of Environment and Water as a precautionary measure, supporting ongoing investigations by the Primary Industry Area (PIRSA), the Environmental Protection Agency and SA Health.”
The beach will resume as soon as possible.
Warning signs are placed on the beach warning of “potential health risks from algae blooms.”
This sign warns you of difficulty breathing and throat discomfort.
Certain forms of algae, including cyanobacteria, can cause the death of marine organisms and cause irritation to the human eye and skin.
