Mayor warns beachgoers to stay away as mystery foam leaves surfers with “flu-like symptoms”

The local mayor has issued a shock warning as surfers and swimmers fall ill and dead fish wash ashore on south coast beaches. See the map of beaches affected.

A microalgal bloom has been identified as the likely cause of dead wildlife washing up on Fleurieu beaches and surfers experiencing worrying symptoms after emerging from the waters, as Victor Harbor’s mayor says she’s experienced the symptoms first hand.

The South Australian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes the sludge-coloured foam appearing on the beaches from Waitpinga Point to Victor Harbor is due to a microalgal bloom, driven by hot temperatures and still water.

It comes as a yellow-toned discoloured foam was seen across the beach stretch, with a froth-like consistency and a glossy surface to the water and several marine animals, including multiple species of fish, sea dragons and octopus were seen washed up on the beach.

An EPA spokesperson told The Advertiser red staining had also been reported along the coast.

Several fish have been washed ashore the beaches of Waitpinga Point to Victor Harbor, with no answers as to what is causing their deaths. Picture: Facebook

A dead octopus has been spotted on the beach stretch from Waitpinga Point to Victor Harbor, with no answers as to what the cause is. Picture: Facebook

Waitpinga Beach and Parsons Beach beaches in Newland Head Conservation Park have been closed while Victor Harbor mayor Moira Jenkins warned residents and visitors to stay off the beaches on the eastern side of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Dr Jenkins told The Advertiser on Tuesday beaches near Victor Harbor should be avoided.

“Although the beaches at Victor Harbor and Encounter Bay are not closed, we suggest people don’t swim in there,” she said.

“I would advise if people are walking their dogs, not to let their dogs in the water because it might irritate the dog’s eyes and skin, and also beware of the dead fish, especially the puffer fish, which are extremely dangerous to dogs.”

On Tuesday, an EPA spokesperson said it was believed the event could be due to a microalgal bloom that has been driven by hot temperatures and still water, with temperatures 2.5C warmer than usual and little wind and small swells contributing to the conditions.

“The EPA are working with other agencies including PIRSA Fisheries and SA Health to attend the scene and take water samples,” they said.

Dr Jenkins told The Advertiser locals had reported having dry, raspy coughs while at beaches around Victor Harbor, and had experienced it herself while at the yacht club on Tuesday morning.

“People have swum there and they’ve got irritated eyes and skin,” Dr Jenkins said.

“I also know myself that it’s quite a dry cough as well, you can’t smell anything, but I think it does affect your respiratory tract.”

A sludge-coloured foam and dead fish have been sighted on the beaches of Waitpinga Point to Victor Harbor. Picture: Facebook

A sludge-coloured foam and several dead fish have been sighted on the beaches of Waitpinga Point to Victor Harbor. Picture: Facebook

It is not yet known what’s behind the incident but algal blooms have been suggested. Picture: Facebook

At Horseshoe Bay, a popular swimming location at nearby Port Elliot, many beachgoers were unaware of the algae and the problems it had been causing just kilometres up the coast.

“I was going to go swimming tomorrow,” Victorian holidaymaker Wendy Cook told The Advertiser.

“I’d definitely reconsider now.”

Tea Tree Gully man Alex Ramsay, 33, said he swam the beach at least once a month, and noticed nothing out of the ordinary during his swim on Tuesday.

“The beach looks the same as always,” he said.

“I had no idea.”

Waitpinga Beach was closed after surfers reported feeling ill after being in the water, as dead fish and seahorses washed ashore. Picture: Aden Hill

Deputy Premier and Minister for the Environment and Water Susan Close said that the closures of Waitpinga and Parsons beach was as a precaution to assist ongoing investigations by PIRSA, the EPA and SA Health.

Ms Close said no more Department managed beaches will close, but signs will be erected at nearby Blowhole Beach and Boat Harbor Beach, where small amounts of algae have been detected.

“Signs will alert people to algae/foam, recommend they don’t swim/surf, and to leave the area if they feel any discomfort,” Ms Close told The Advertiser.

Ms Close said exposure to algae can cause general allergic-type responses, while ingestion could flu-like symptoms, but that these symptoms disappear when exposure stops or following washing in clean water.

Ms Close said the decision to close beaches at Victor Harbor and Encounter Bay was the responsibility of Victor Harbor City Council, a direct contradiction of a statement made by Victor Harbor mayor Moira Jenkins to The Advertiser, where she said the decision to close the beach lay with the Department for the Environment and Water.