Latest news with #Cádiz
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Thousands of tons of invasive seaweed ‘overwhelming' Spanish beaches
Thousands of tonnes of an aggressive invasive seaweed from south-east Asia are piling up on the beaches of the strait of Gibraltar and Spain's southern coast in what local environmentalists say is a major threat to the region's biodiversity. Since May, the local authority in Cádiz has removed 1,200 tonnes of the alga Rugulopteryx okamurae from La Caleta, the city's most popular beach, including 78 tonnes in a single day. 'We're completely overwhelmed. This is an environmental catastrophe,' said José Carlos Teruel, responsible for Cádiz city council's beaches. 'Whenever the wind is westerly, we know we're in for another wave of seaweed.' As with many other invasive marine species, the alga is thought to arrive in the ballast tanks of ships which pass through the Suez canal and then discharge their tanks in the Mediterranean. In little more than a decade the species has colonised the strait of Gibraltar, much of Spain's southern coast, the Canary Islands, the Azores, and, farther north, the Cantabrian sea and the Basque Country. '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,' said Juan José Vergara, a professor of biology at the University of Cádiz. 'In the first phase of an invasion such as this it can be controlled. It's like catching cancer early on before it spreads,' Vergara said, adding that what washes ashore is a fraction of what is underwater. 'But now the scale of it makes it impossible to control. In other seaweed invasions we've seen things revert to normal after a period of 10-15 years but many scientists say they've never seen an invasion on this scale.' The seaweed is having a major impact on the local economy, firstly on tourism in Cádiz and nearby Tarifa, a town popular with windsurfers, and on fishing because it traps fishers' nets and lines and also sucks oxygen out of the water. Then there's the cost to the taxpayer of disposing of it. Perhaps most worrying is its impact on biodiversity. On the beach at La Caleta, the seaweed has driven out many indigenous plants. It is unclear whether the damage is temporary or irreversible. The alga attaches itself to rocks and other surfaces and is also free-floating, wiping out native species of seaweed. It has no predators in the region and its capacity to reproduce both sexually and asexually and to absorb toxins makes it virtually impossible to eradicate, experts say. At present the seaweed is dumped in landfill sites. Vergara said a local business that recycles seaweed into drinks containers or to use as fuel and fertiliser has sought permission to use Rulopteryx okamuraeas as a biomass to produce energy. However, Spain's law on invasive species prohibits their commercial exploitation unless they pose a threat to health and safety or to further their eradication, a caveat that would seem to apply to Rulopteryx okamuraeas. This week the government in Andalucía launched a four-part plan to confront the crisis based on research, monitoring and education, and which includes options for recycling the seaweed. To use it as biomass the regional government will have to negotiate with Spain's environment ministry but Vergara said that even if an agreement is reached, it can only be part of the solution. 'It's an interesting idea but 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,' he said.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Atlantis is finally FOUND off coast of major city, archaeologist claims... and he's got video to prove it
Plato's writings describe an advanced civilization that built grand temples and massive harbor walls before being swallowed by the sea more than 11,600 years ago. Now, an archaeologist believes he has found Atlantis just two miles off the coast of Cádiz, Spain.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spain's Grupo Apex makes another acquisition
Spanish snacks maker Grupo Apex has continued its acquisition spree with the acquisition of local peer Chavez y Clark, the owner of the SuperMex brand. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Based in El Puerto de Santa María in Cádiz in southern Spain, Chavez y Clark specialises in producing and distributing corn and wheat tortillas. The acquisition adds a production plant to Grupo Apex's network of 12 facilities across Spain. In a statement, Grupo Apex said the deal strengthens its 'industrial presence' in the south of the country. The transaction also diversifies its product range into 'new, growing categories within the food sector,' such as corn tortillas. Santiago Sala, the CEO of Grupo Apex, said: "This acquisition fully reflects our strategy of sustained growth and portfolio diversification, leading the development and value generation in the snacks sector. "We want to grow without excuses, with an increasingly solid structure, and investing in brands and products with high potential both in Spain and Europe." The SuperMex facility features 1,300m² of production space and a 1,000m² warehouse for finished products. It employs 36 staff and reported a 2024 turnover of €5.3m ($6.1m), with projected sales of €6m by 2025. The purchase follows Grupo Apex's recent acquisitions, including Barcelona-based peer, Tot Snack, in 2024 and the purchase of vegetable crisps maker Viube Foods in 2022. In 2023, the company bought a new plant in the La Rioja region of the country and snapped up local crisp maker Santo Reino for an undisclosed sum. A year earlier, Grupo Apex acquired the Pop Up popcorn brand from Mexican bakery giant Grupo Bimbo. "Spain's Grupo Apex makes another acquisition" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Inicia sesión para acceder a tu cartera de valores
The Sun
13-06-2025
- The Sun
I swapped Costa del Sol for this local Spanish beach spot – it's cheaper, calmer and there's no Brits in sight
AFTER years of bouncing between the usual Spanish hotspots like Barcelona, Madrid, and the Costa del Sol, there's one beach town I keep going back to - and hardly any Brits know about it. Called El Palmar de Vejer - or just El Palmar by locals - this little surf town on the south-west coast in the province of Cádiz, is one of Spain's best-kept secrets. 7 7 7 It's laid-back, raw, and totally free of the usual Brits-abroad buzz. And that's exactly why it's so good. It's not easy to get to, but that's exactly why it still feels like a secret. Spanish locals love it - especially those from Madrid, who drive down for the summer holidays. But it's rare you'll hear anyone speaking English, and I've never once seen a big group of British tourists here. If you want sun, space, proper Spanish food and a bit of surf, this is the place. El Palmar is all about the beach - and it's a big one. It's long, wide and open, with soft golden sand and a breeze that rolls in off the Atlantic. Locals even call the area 'Cádizfornia' because it's got that same laid-back, surfy vibe you get in California. And they're not wrong - it really does feel like Spain's answer to the west coast of the US. Just less polished - and no loud Americans. Phew. What's more, there's no high-rise developments, no big hotel chains, no resorts. Instead, you'll find only small holiday apartments, beachside glamping sites and independent surf lodges. A lot of the accommodation is low-key - think bungalows behind the dunes or boutique guesthouses a short walk from the beach. One of Spain's oldest beach bars that was loved by A-List stars forced to close — as fans say goodbye to €4 beers and sea views 7 The town itself is more of a strip - a few shops, surf schools, and beach bars, all built into the landscape. There's no real centre, but that's part of the charm. It's the kind of place where you can go barefoot all day and no one would batter an eyelid. The whole of El Palmar feels peaceful and raw in the best way. It's not overly polished or fancy, but that's the appeal. You wake up to the sound of waves, stroll out to a café for breakfast, hit the beach, maybe do a surf lesson or just lie in the sun, then head to one of the chiringuitos for lunch. These chiringuitos are what make it for me. These are beach bars right on the sand, serving cold drinks and some of the best seafood I've had in Spain. You can get a table with your feet in the sand, order a plate of prawns or tuna tartare, and just sit watching the waves roll in and the sun in your face. Most places also do proper Andalusian paella, fried fish, grilled sardines - all cooked fresh and served with a side of salty air. It's not expensive, either. You can get a great meal with drinks for under €20 if you know where to go. In the evenings, some bars have live music - usually acoustic, sometimes a bit of flamenco. It's never full-on party mode, but it's sociable and fun. You won't find bar crawls or club reps here - just locals and in-the-know visitors enjoying the sunsets, which are nearly always amazing. El Palmar's great for doing absolutely nothing. But if you fancy mixing things up, there's a lot to explore nearby. About 15 minutes inland is the whitewashed hill town of Vejer de la Frontera. Here you'll find quaint narrow streets, flower-filled balconies and sweeping views. 7 7 You can head up for lunch or dinner, wander the old quarter, and enjoy a change of scenery without going too far. Further down the coast is Tarifa - Europe's southernmost town and the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Med. It's more built-up, with a mix of surf shops, Moroccan cafés and tapas bars. It's a great spot if you want something a bit more lively for a day or two - or even to bolt onto your El Palmar trip. And just up the coast is Cádiz city, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Cadiz is full of history, with colourful buildings, crumbling castles, seafood markets and buzzing tapas bars. You could easily spend a day there before heading back to your beach base. How to get there El Palmar's not the easiest place to reach - but that's why you don't see many tourists there, adding to its charm. Hiring a car from airports Seville or Malaga is probably your easiest option. It's under two hours from Seville, and about 2.5 from Málaga. The roads are easy, the views are decent, and once you're there, you'll be glad you didn't mess about with transfers. But if you're lacking a driving licence but have plenty of patience, you can still get there by public transport. From Seville, take a train to San Fernando Bahía Sur station, which is about 1.5 hours away and costs about €17 (£14). From there, it's a 35-minute taxi ride to the beach, which will cost about €70 (£60). You can also go via Cádiz, which has a direct bus to El Palmar run by Transportes Generales Comes. It takes just over an hour and is fairly cheap, between €5–€14. However, buses aren't super frequent and can be even more limited outside of summer. Coming from Málaga? You'll need to train it to Cádiz first (about 3 hours), then catch the same bus down to the coast. All doable, but if you want to avoid the faff, just hire a car. Where to stay, when to go You're not going to find anything super lux at El Palmar, but that's part of its appeal. If you want somewhere stylish but low-key, look at Nexo Surf House, it's got spacious, airy rooms, a restaurant and surf lessons all rolled into one. For something more rustic, the glamping options at Kampaoh are worth a look. Here you'll find safari-style tents with proper beds and private bathrooms, all a short walk from the beach. There are also plenty of local Airbnbs scattered along the coast, many within walking distance to the beach. Some are simple studios, others are bigger houses that are ideal for groups or families. Wherever you stay, you're never far from the sea - and that's the whole point. In the busier summer months of July and August, however, be sure to book well in advance as rooms do get booked up fast by locals. Even then, it's mostly Spanish families, not hordes of tourists. The beach is big enough that it never feels rammed. It's not built for mass tourism, and that's why it's so good. If you want a quieter vibe, I'd opt to go in June or September. The weather's still hot, the sea's warm, and there's lots of space. Flights to Seville from the UK start from around £25 return if you book early enough. If you want a break that's off the beaten track, full of charm, and free from the usual Brit holiday clichés, this is the place to go.
New York Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
$1.4 Million Homes in Andalusia, Spain
Ubrique | $1.4 million (€1.2 million) Set on 33 wooded acres, this seven-bedroom, four-bathroom property is in Ubrique, a village in the Andalusian province of Cádiz. The three-story home was built in 1940 and renovated in 2015. One of 19 'pueblos blancos' in Andalusia — towns and villages known for their whitewashed buildings — Ubrique has been a hub for the manufacturing of leather goods since the 18th century. Jerez Airport, which serves European destinations, is about 50 miles west. Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, with daily nonstop flights to several American cities, is about 90 miles east. Several bus routes connect Ubrique with cities in the region. Ubrique's cobblestone center is a short walk from this property, as is the Ubrique Leather Museum, housed in a former convent. Size: 4,574 square feet Price per square foot: $296 Indoors: The ground floor has a double-height living and dining area with ocher-tiled floors and original wood beams. The kitchen was renovated with tiled floors, Smeg appliances and an arched entryway decorated with blue-and-white Andalusian tiles. This level also includes a large bedroom divided into four sleeping areas, with one en suite bathroom. Two bedrooms on the second floor have en suite bathrooms, and two more bedrooms share a bathroom. On the third floor, another bedroom features a cast-iron wood stove, an en suite bathroom and a terrace with sweeping views. The home is powered by solar panels. The owner's father, a leather wholesaler, bought the house in 1972. His son inherited the business and the property, which rents for as much as $400 per night. The home is being sold furnished, except for heirloom pieces. Artwork, by local painters, is also included in the sale. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
