Annual eyesore: Tar balls mar several beaches across Goa

PANAJI/COLVA: Tar balls have started surfacing on Goa’s coastline, as several stretches of beaches in Pernem, Salcete and Canacona witnessed deposits of the oily, sticky residue turning their shores black on Thursday.
With very few tourists and mostly only walkers and groups of youth playing football dominating the beach landscape, not many ventured into the water.
The churning of currents on the high seas gives rise to the tar ball phenomenon, especially from May to October , fouling the water and the beach ambience. Passing ships are largely blamed for releasing oil waste in the sea. The tar balls created a mess on some beaches, especially along the long stretch from Colva and Benaulim to Mobor, as the deposits spread over the sand in a thin black film on some beaches and in thick oily globules on others, on Thursday.
“There are hardly any tourists this year, but elderly persons having their traditional sea soak in summer come out during these days,” a local at Varca beach said.
Drishti marine lifeguards kept cautioning visitors about the presence of tar balls, as it can cause irritation of the skin and eyes, and give rise to allergic reactions as well.
On Friday, the situation had improved slightly on some beaches, as the oil was swept clean overnight.
“The surfacing of tar balls has started. Though the tar ball deposits were fewer on Friday, the water appears muddy. It is the season for the phenomenon, we have to be prepared for the mess,” said a beach goer.