Arabic version: أرانب البحر تدفع إلى تحذير لأصحاب الحيوانات الأليفة على شاطئ إيدن

According to ABC News, thousands of sea hares washed ashore at Aslings Beach in Eden on the NSW far south coast, prompting a warning for pet owners. The sea slugs began appearing at the popular beach a week ago, with thousands first spotted on Tuesday, October 13.

Macquarie University marine biologist Culum Brown said the arrival coincided with a naturally occurring algal bloom. Sea hares graze on algae and can retain toxins from some algae as a defence against predators, creating a serious risk for dogs that lick, mouth or ingest the animals.

The Bega Valley Shire Council identified the algae as a non-toxic mix of red macroalgae native to south-eastern Australia. Council sustainability manager Derek Van Bracht said crews removed thousands of sea hares from Aslings Beach last week, but advised dog owners to remain vigilant because some animals remain along the shore and an algal bloom is still visible offshore.

High tides dispersed many sea hares back into the water, while council clean-up work further reduced their numbers. Professor Brown said large beach wash-ups were not unusual on southern Australian coastlines and were often linked to rough seas and strong on-shore winds. Sea hares are not dangerous to people, but he advised anyone handling them to wash their hands and avoid touching their eyes because they can cause irritation.