Two Dubai beaches open again after oil reported in small area
A popular stretch of Dubai’s coastline was open again yesterday after an apparent oil slick kept swimmers out of the water the previous day.
Bathers had said they found oily water on their feet and swimsuits after entering the water on Tuesday.
Contamination appeared to be isolated to a small strip of Kite Beach and Nessnass Beach, where red flags were up for a period that day.
Dubai Municipality officials yesterday said the water was safe and that beaches were clean and waters open.
One resident posted a video of oily water at Nessnass Beach in Jumeirah on Tuesday, where red flags were up.
Others on a Facebook group also said they witnessed a change in the water, with one saying their feet and clothes were covered in oil. The sea appeared black, with a strong, unpleasant smell, they wrote.
Purple flags were up for a time yesterday – which signals jellyfish or other marine creatures are close to the shore. The sea appeared to be clear.
Oil spills are relatively common in the Arabian Gulf, a busy waterway packed with commercial vessels.
In 2020, officials said they would penalise masters of ships rinsing out oily ballast water off the UAE. This followed incidents off Fujairah and Sharjah’s Kalba region.
This year, environmental officials in Abu Dhabi reassured residents that Raha Beach was safe and clean after algal bloom changed the colour of the water.
Algal bloom and sea debris carried by waves into the bay happens at certain times of the year and is not regarded as pollution, said officials.