Spain tackles beach seaweed buildup: invasive Asian algae cleared in Noja, posidonia controversy in Denia

In the Valencian town of Denia, strict regulations approved by the Generalitat Valenciana limit the removal of posidonia, a seagrass that protects the coast. Residents of the les Deveses beach area complain that accumulated plant material and associated odors are harming the natural beach, while officials stress that removal is only allowed in designated urban zones and during specific periods.

In Cantabria, the regional government declared an emergency to address the invasive Asian algae Rugulopteryx okamurae on Trengandín beach in Noja. By the end of the operation, 230 tonnes of the algae had been removed using tractors and loaders, at a cost exceeding €600,000. The department, led by Roberto Media, plans to seek full reimbursement from the national state, accusing it of failing to act on a problem that threatens local tourism.