The sequence of images shows what is most likely an algal bloom. The many kilometres of ocean between Stradbroke Island’s Cylinder Beach to Main Beach had long brown streaks on the surface as seen in the attached images. Whilst the heavy swell and breaking waves disrupted the streaks, the waves did not disperse the streaks, and they didn’t dissipate into the ocean. Maritime Safety Queensland has commented that this is most likely to be an algal bloom, the most commonly occurring being Trichodesmium algae. Apparently there has been a lot of this right along the coast in the last month or so and I understand it’s not harmful to people or the environment.
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