Andalusia intensifies cleanup of invasive alga Rugulopteryx okamurae amid illegal dump concerns

Municipal crews in Rota removed about 120,000 kg of the invasive alga Rugulopteryx okamurae on Thursday, intensifying beach‑cleaning operations across Galeones, Chorrillo‑Rompidillo and Puntalillo as the region approaches peak tourist season. The city’s beach delegate, José Antonio Medina, warned that “the phenomenon could persist during the beach season if current maritime conditions continue.”

Environmental group AGADEN‑Ecologistas en Acción has demanded the immediate removal of an illegal open‑air dump of algae near Tarifa’s wastewater treatment plant, where up to 15,000 tonnes of algae and 30,000 tonnes of sand have accumulated. The group says the dump poses “significant environmental and health risks,” including odors, leachate and damage to tourism, and urges authorities to adopt a transparent, legally compliant disposal plan.

Both incidents are linked to a regional decree declaring a state of force majeure for the massive algal invasions along the Andalusian coast, which exempts municipalities from certain dumping fees but has not prevented illegal stockpiles.