Mysterious Black Balls Plague Maroubra and Sydney's Iconic Beaches

Maroubra Beach and several of Sydney’s most popular coastal spots have been closed after a deluge of mysterious black balls washed ashore, prompting an investigation.

The strange debris found at Coogee Beach on Tuesday has since spread to Bronte, Clovelly, Congong, Frenchmans, Little Bay, Malabar, and Tamarama, leaving authorities baffled.

Initially, the objects, the size of tennis balls, were observed to break down into smaller, marble-sized pieces in the surf. The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) described the material as fibrous, mixing wet and dry pieces.

mysterious black balls — *Photo Credit: Google Map*

EPA crews are analysing samples to identify the material and pinpoint the source of the contamination. NSW Maritime has assumed control of the incident, coordinating with Randwick Council, the EPA, Port Authority and other agencies. Vessels have been deployed to monitor the situation and ensure no further debris enters the waterways.

Waverley Council, responsible for Bondi and Tamarama, has closed all its beaches as a safety measure. Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker confirmed that beaches under his jurisdiction would remain closed until the clean-up operation was finished, emphasising public safety as the top priority.

Although initial tests by Randwick City Council indicated the presence of hydrocarbons, consistent with the phenomenon known as “tar balls”, the EPA has yet to corroborate these findings. Further investigations are underway to unravel the origin and nature of these enigmatic objects.

Beachgoers are advised to avoid contact with the balls and refrain from swimming. However, boating and kayaking activities remain unaffected.

Published Date 22-October-2024