Nine beaches in Sydney, including the popular Manly Beach, were closed to the public on Tuesday after small white and gray ball-shaped debris washed ashore during the peak of the summer holiday season.
The Northern Beaches Council announced it was working to safely remove the mysterious material, noting that most of the debris was marble-sized, with some larger samples. Authorities have urged beachgoers to stay away from affected areas, including Dee Why, Long Reef, Queenscliff, Freshwater, North and South Curl Curl, North Steyne, and North Narrabeen beaches.
In a statement, officials said they were collaborating with the state’s environmental agency to collect and test samples of the debris to determine its origin.
Sydney’s beaches, renowned for their pristine waters and golden sands, attract millions of tourists annually. The sudden closures have disrupted beach activities and raised concerns among locals and visitors.
This incident follows a similar event last October, when Bondi Beach and other eastern Sydney beaches were temporarily closed after thousands of black balls, later identified as a mixture of fatty acids and wastewater byproducts, washed ashore.
Investigations into the current debris are ongoing, with authorities promising to update the public as new information becomes available.
