Marbella Beach Association Takes Action Against Seaweed Invasion
The Costa del Sol Comité de Playas, an association of beach, port, and nautical activities establishments in Marbella, is taking action against the growing seaweed problem on Marbella’s beaches. The association has initiated a petition demanding that the authorities address the issue. Sergio Gutiérrez, the president of the association, expressed concern that the increasing seaweed and decreasing sand could deter tourists and impact the local economy.
Concerns Over Tourism and Beach Conditions
The association’s concerns are rooted in the potential negative impact on Marbella’s tourist image due to the invasive plant and the loss of sand from storms. The association plans to present its petition to the central government, with Gutiérrez stating that they are prepared to rally if necessary. The petition has been translated into English to reach the foreign population, emphasizing that the issue affects not only residents but also tourists.
Seaweed Invasion Poses Serious Problems
The Rugulopteryx okamurae algae, which began invading the Costa del Sol a few years ago, has proven difficult to eradicate. Marbella’s town hall spends approximately 150,000 euros a month to clean the coastline and remove about 75 tonnes of seaweed daily. The town hall has called on the central government for solutions, arguing that the central government has a strategy for the eradication and containment of the invasive species.
Efforts to Clean and Stabilize Beaches
The town hall has recently enhanced beach cleaning efforts with the purchase of a towed raking machine specifically designed for removing invasive algae from the coastline. This will allow for the collection of algae without removing large amounts of sand. In response to the lack of sand, the central government has announced a 16 million euro investment to begin stabilizing the beaches in Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara.
Coastline Regeneration Project
The central government’s proposed project for Marbella’s coastline involves two actions: coastal regeneration between Venus beach and El Ancón point, and the construction of two free-standing breakwaters. The project, which has a budget of 8.5 million euros and an eight-month completion period, aims to regenerate and stabilize the central beaches through the addition of approximately 200,000 cubic meters of sand.
