Hawaii is warning swimmers and surfers to stay out of waters near Honolulu after a leak of 1400 tons of molasses that killed hundreds of fish, could attract sharks.
The spill in Honolulu harbour was caused by a leak in a pipeline used to load molasses onto ships on Monday after a ship carrying molasses departed for the US West Coast.
A leak was later discovered in a pipeline used to load molasses, a sweet, sticky liquid, onto ships operated by Matson Navigation Company.
The state department of health said the molasses could lead to an increase in sharks, barracuda and eels, and cause the growth of bacteria.
The department said ocean currents were expected take several weeks to flush the molasses from the area.
