Spain's beaches turn brown as warning issued for fives areas including Majorca
Spain's beaches turn brown as warning issued for fives areas including Majorca
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Spain's popular holiday destinations are under threat from a fast-spreading algae. Rugulopterix okamurae is causing concern due to its rapid growth and impact on the beaches across parts of the sun-drenched nation. This Pacific native seaweed has invaded areas in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, completely covering the seabed and releasing plant remains that rise to the surface.
The currents then carry the algae to the coast, where it continues to spread over beaches, turning them brown. First detected in the city of Ceuta in 2015, it has since rapidly grown on the Andalusian coast, the most affected area in Spain. While the algae is not bad for the environment, it smells bad and is unsightly.
Other impacted locations include Murcia, Valencia and Tarifa, with the latter unable to afford the removal of the algae from its beaches. Tourists have been warned that Majorca could be next, after traces were found in the port of Barcelona. Fiona Tomas, a researcher at the IMEDEA Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies, told the Majorca Daily Bulletin: "We must act in time because we have the knowledge and we can carry out effective preventive management to avoid an invasion or, at least, minimise its impact.".
Maria Altamirano, a professor at the University of Malaga, has warned about the importance of stopping invasive seaweed before it hits the Balearic Islands, saying, "Although it has not yet been detected, the Balearic Islands are a highly favourable area for it to proliferate. The authorities should look at minimising its spread.".
