The Standing Working Group on Invasive Algae has coordinated an emergency plan to tackle the massive arrival of seaweed deposits. The initiative, promoted by the Ecological Transition Area of the Provincial Council, seeks urgent and sustainable solutions.
The virtual session included participation from representatives of the affected town councils, the Regional Government of Andalusia, the administration of Cascais (Portugal), and the CSIC, highlighting the cross-border dimension of the crisis.
“"Public-private collaboration is key to removing the algae and transforming it into useful resources, as well as implementing citizen science programs."
The beneficiary municipalities, including Rota, El Puerto, Cádiz, Conil, Barbate, Tarifa, San Roque, Algeciras, and La Línea, have received over 1.8 million euros in the last five years under the Comprehensive Ecological Transition Plan.
The recent agreement by the Regional Government of Andalusia, declaring a 'force majeure' situation, has been highlighted. This allows municipalities to be exempt from landfill tax for algae if the material cannot be reused, easing the financial burden on municipal coffers.
Mar Roca, a researcher from ICMAN-CSIC, presented the pioneering RugOBSS project, which uses satellite imagery for real-time detection of algae patches, enabling municipal technicians to respond proactively.
This sustained effort consolidates a long-term strategy for the continuous management of Cádiz's beaches against the persistent threat of Rugulopterix okamurae.
