Foam and dead fish wash ashore as Australian surfers report illness

Beaches shut as marine foam and fish deaths spark health concerns.

Listen to article

Two popular beaches in South Australia have been closed after a mysterious off-white foam and dozens of dead fish washed ashore, while surfers who entered the water reported a range of health issues including sore throats, coughing, and irritated eyes.

Waitpinga Beach and neighbouring Parsons Beach, located south of the state capital Adelaide, were shut to the public on Monday following what officials are calling a “fish mortality event.” Authorities suspect a toxic microalgal bloom, possibly triggered by recent unusual weather conditions, may be behind the sudden health and environmental crisis.

“It is very concerning,” said Sam Gaylard, principal scientific officer with the South Australian Environment Protection Authority. “It is unusual at this scale. At this time of year, when the weather conditions allow, we do occasionally get isolated blooms, but something of this scale is definitely a little bit unusual.”

Local surfer Anthony Rowland, who surfed at Waitpinga Beach on Saturday, said he and his friends began coughing while out in the water.

“While we were out there, we started coughing,” Rowland told reporters. “Lots of people reached out – so many people have said they’ve had exactly the same symptoms.”

Surfers have continued to report symptoms like sore eyes and sore throats since the weekend, prompting authorities to collect water and foam samples on Monday.

Scientists believe the likely culprit is a microalgal bloom – a rapid increase of microscopic, single-celled organisms – caused by an extended period of hot and dry weather, combined with low wind and calm seas.

Gaylard explained that these conditions may have allowed algae to accumulate and decay, producing toxic foam that blanketed several hundred metres of coastline. A swell that began on Sunday may have further agitated the water, breaking up algae and generating even more foam.

“At the moment, we’re not sure how long this will last,” he added. “We are still waiting on lab results to confirm what the organism is, and that may take until the end of the week.”

The South Australian Department for Environment and Water confirmed that the beaches would remain closed until the area is deemed safe.

“The beaches will be re-opened as soon as possible,” the department said in a statement.

Dozens of dead fish have been spotted along the shore, further fuelling concerns among locals and environmental experts.

While microalgal blooms are not uncommon, events of this scale are rare and could signal deeper environmental stress. Officials are continuing to monitor the situation closely, and residents have been advised to avoid contact with the water until more information becomes available.