Mysterious White Blobs Wash Ashore in Newfoundland: Scientists Still Searching for Answers
Along the rugged, 17,000-kilometre coastline of Newfoundland, locals frequently share images of their beachcombing finds. Most often, these discoveries include common debris such as boat parts, sea glass, or remnants from the Atlantic Ocean. But recently, a new and puzzling phenomenon has washed ashore—white gelatinous blobs—and no one, including government scientists, knows what they are.
Unidentified Blobs Spotted Along Newfoundland Beaches
The first sighting of these strange blobs was reported by Philip Grace, who shared a photo on the Beachcombers of Newfoundland and Labrador Facebook group. His post, captioned, “Anyone know what these blobs are?” described the substance as resembling “touton dough,” a traditional Newfoundland fried biscuit.
Soon after, others chimed in, reporting similar sightings across several beaches along Placentia Bay, including Ship Harbour, Shoal Cove, and Arnold’s Cove. These white globs were coated in seaweed, sand, and pebbles, varied in size from toonies to dinner plates, and had a firm, spongy texture. Some speculated they were everything from cheese to alien poo, while others suggested more plausible explanations, such as paraffin wax from tankers.
Government Scientists Stumped
Despite the flood of amateur theories, the scientific community is still perplexed by the blobs. Environment and Climate Change Canada was alerted to the situation on Sept. 7, 2024, and has been working alongside the Canadian Coast Guard to collect samples from the beaches. Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) has also examined the material, initially considering whether it could be whale blubber or an aquatic invasive species—both of which were ruled out.
While one biologist suggested the blobs might be polymastia (a type of sea sponge), further testing debunked this hypothesis. Nadine Wells, head of marine ecological research at DFO, noted that people had been able to set the blobs on fire, leading scientists to believe they contain some form of oil.
What Have Scientists Discovered So Far?
To date, the mysterious blobs have not been identified as petroleum hydrocarbons, biofuels, or biodiesel, according to Samantha Bayard, spokesperson for Environment and Climate Change Canada. However, tests are ongoing, and the final results could take several more weeks.
Federal enforcement officers are also involved, investigating whether any violation of environmental legislation has occurred, and if so, taking appropriate action.
What’s Next for the Mystery Blobs?
With no definitive answers yet, the DFO is planning more fieldwork and sample collection to better understand the extent of the blobs’ presence along the coast. “We’re doing our best to solve this mystery, but until we get conclusive results, it’s hard to say exactly what these blobs are,” said Wells.
For now, the people of Newfoundland and scientists alike remain intrigued by the strange phenomenon, which continues to baffle experts.