Nine beaches in Sydney, Australia, were closed on Tuesday after small white and grey balls of debris washed up on the shore during the peak summer holiday season. Among the affected beaches was the famous Manly Beach.
This incident follows the closure of several Sydney beaches months earlier due to the appearance of black balls of unknown origin, which forced the closure of some of the city’s most iconic beaches, including Bondi Beach.
The Northern Beaches Council announced that efforts were underway to safely remove the debris, which ranged in size from marble-sized to larger balls.
Sydney’s beaches, known worldwide for their golden sands and clear waters, are a major draw for visitors.
Authorities have advised the public to stay clear of Manly, Dee Why, Long Reef, Queenscliff, Freshwater, North and South Curl Curl, North Steyne, and North Narrabeen beaches until further notice and to avoid the debris while cleanup operations continue.
Local authorities are working closely with the state’s environmental agency to investigate the source of the debris. Samples have been collected for further analysis as the investigation progresses.
Mysterious black balls
In October, several beaches, including the iconic Bondi Beach, were closed after thousands of black balls washed up on the shore.
A team of scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) later identified the black balls as miniature ‘fatbergs.’ These ‘fatbergs’ were composed of human feces, methamphetamine, human hair, fatty acids, food waste, and hundreds of other strange and disturbing substances. Initially, it was thought that the balls were made of tar.
