11 December 2014
The Department of the Environment is warning dog owners to keep pets away from any white substance they find on local beaches.
Lumps of a white waxy substance have been found in St Ouen’s Bay and at La Mare, St Clement. It has also been found in Guernsey.
It is similar in appearance to a white substance found on beaches in south Devon and Cornwall last month which was later identified as a degraded and rancid edible oil or fat, most likely palm oil.
Initial analysis of the substance, however, indicates it could be an oil-based wax, such as paraffin wax.
Sensible precautions
States Vet Linda Lowseck said “While we have not formally identified the substance, dog owners are advised to take sensible precautions and keep pets away from waxy substances washed up on beaches.”
States officers will be checking the beaches and removing any material found.
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