Thanet Beach – Botany Bay – Library Image
Thanet District Council has issued an urgent advisory for beachgoers after reports of mysterious white, waxy deposits appearing on several popular stretches of the coastline.
The deposits, which officials suspect may be palm oil, were discovered on Sunday, December 28, at Margate Main Sands, Ramsgate Main Sands, and Botany Bay. While the exact nature of the substance is being confirmed, the council is treating the sightings with high caution.
Palm oil, while non-toxic to humans, can be fatal to dogs if ingested. The substance often becomes contaminated by bacteria and ship chemicals while at sea, leading to severe illness or death in pets.
Council officials have issued the following advice for visitors to beaches:
- Keep dogs on leads at all times when in the impacted areas.
- Strictly prevent pets from coming into contact with or eating the waxy debris.
- Follow all signage currently being erected at the affected beaches.
Thanet District Council teams are mobilizing to assess the scale of the wash-up. Warning signs are being deployed immediately to alert the public of the potential hazard.
“There will be inspections around the coast at first light tomorrow,” a council spokesperson stated. “Clearance of the deposits will be arranged following these assessments.”
Authorities are expected to provide further updates once the Monday morning inspections are complete and the clean-up process begins.