Major warning for Irish tourists in Spain as beaches turn BROWN from ‘impossible to control' seaweed covering sand
Thousands of tonnes of rugulopterix okamurae, a fast-growing invasive seaweed from East
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The seaweed, which is not native to the region, piles up on beaches emitting a foul and rotten odour
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Over the last ten years, the Pacific seaweed species has infested areas of the Atlantic and Mediterranean, covering seabeds and releasing waste which floats up to the surface.
Ocean currents carry this waste to the coast, where the seaweed piles up on
The species has become a significant issue for towns and cities across the coast of Spain.
Impacted areas include Ceuta, Murcia, Valencia and Tarifa.
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Experts warn that
Juan José Vergara, a professor of biology at the University of Cádiz, spoke with the Guardian about the issue.
He said: "It was first spotted 10 years ago in Ceuta, Spain's north African enclave, by a researcher from Málaga university, but the authorities are always too slow to react."
He added: "In the first phase of an invasion such as this, it can be controlled. It's like catching cancer early on before it spreads,"
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"But now the scale of it makes it impossible to control."
The seaweed has already impacted local economies, particularly in areas of tourism.
Activities such as windsurfing, swimming, and fishing are becoming increasingly difficult in these regions, as seaweed snags lines, restricts access to the water, and depletes the oxygen fish need to survive.
A ROTTEN HOLIDAY
The rotting seaweed also makes for an ugly sight and emits a foul odour, deterring beach-goers.
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Many regions have taken to dumping the excess seaweed in landfill sites across the country, at the cost of the taxpayer.
Some towns, like Tarifa, however, are unable to afford the removal due to the sheer amount of seaweed buildup.
Some businesses have since sought permission from the Spanish government to use the seaweed as
This week, the regional government in Andalucía launched its four-part plan to confront the crisis, which included options for recycling the seaweed.
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Vergara, however, said: "I doubt it will be able to eradicate or even significantly diminish the intensity of the invasion when hundreds of thousands of tonnes can wash up on a single beach."
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The seaweed is affecting local tourism and costing taxpayers money to have it removed
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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