Andalusia coast battles invasive Asian seaweed, prompting emergency cleanup

Invasive Asian seaweed (Rugulopteryx okamurae) has spread along the Costa del Sol in Andalusia, prompting the Junta de Andalucía to declare the situation a matter of “force majeure and extreme necessity.” Municipalities from Marbella to Estepona have deployed heavy machinery and night‑shift crews, removing tens of thousands of tonnes of algae. Marbella alone has spent over €1 million this year, while other towns report similar costs and request central‑government funding.

The algae’s rapid growth and dense residue on beaches generate foul odours, leach toxic compounds, damage marine habitats, and disrupt local fisheries and tourism. Officials estimate an annual biomass of about 100 000 tonnes in the Strait of Gibraltar area, and a predictive AI model is being used to anticipate future landings to better allocate cleanup resources.