Costa Del Sol Seaweed Crisis

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Costa Del Sol Seaweed Crisis. Twelve thousand tonnes of the invasive Asian seaweed has been removed from beaches along the Costa Del Sol this year.

Costa Del Sol Seaweed Crisis

Local councils have doubled budgets for tackling the invasive Asian seaweed “Rugulopteryx okamurae” which is plagueing the Costa Del Sol beaches this summer. So far this year workers have removed 12,000 tonnes of seaweed from the coastline. The Mayor of Estepona is requesting national aid to help tackle what is being described as a coastal crisis.

The Asian seaweed causes foul smells where it settles on beaches and rocks. As it decomposes it can release harmful chemicals into the local environment including sulphur and nitrogen which can be harmful to wild life. In the ocean, this seaweed can form dense patches which block out sunlight and suffocate fish and marine fauna. This seaweed also causes serious problems for local fishermen. Nets become clogged, tackle can be damaged, and trauling is impossible at times.

The Regional Government in Andalucia have relaxed rules and taxes for disposing of the seaweed in landfill sites.

Published: 30.06.2026

Written by Dave James.