Strange foam and dead fish wash ashore at two Australian beaches as surfers fall sick

This image made from video provided by Australian Broadcasting Corp., shows foam washing up on beach Monday, March 17, 2025, in Waitpinga, near Adelaide. - Australian Broadcasting Corp via AP)

MELBOURNE: An Australian state closed two beaches after dead fish and an unusual off-white foam washed ashore while surfers reported feeling unwell, officials said on Tuesday (March 18).

A microalgal bloom created by unusual weather conditions was suspected to have sickened humans and marine life as well as creating the foam that has covered hundreds of metres (yards) of coastline, South Australian Environment Protection Authority principal scientific officer Sam Gaylard said.