At a seashore close to Algiers, brown algae native to the Pacific Ocean cowl the golden sand, posing a menace to ecosystems native to the world and their stench repelling swimmers on the peak of summer time.
Following a current authorities name to assist clear seashores swarmed by the seaweed species recognized scientifically as Rugulopteryx okamurae, a number of volunteers and charities have stepped in.
“When it washes up, we won’t swim,” mentioned Salim Hemmedi, a 43-year-old vacationer at a seashore in Sidi Fredj, where volunteers raked up heaps of the plant.
“We hope the state of affairs will enhance in order that we are able to take pleasure in ourselves… and that youngsters can swim in peace.”
The alga originates from temperate waters round Japan and the Korean peninsula within the northwest Pacific Ocean.
It was first noticed in Algeria in late 2023, in accordance with Lamia Bahbah, a lecturer and researcher on the National School of Marine Sciences and Coastal Planning.
And currently, some have famous that it has been more and more washed ashore.
Youcef Segni, a marine engineer and biologist, mentioned the algae proliferated at a considerably greater price than in 2023 and 2024.
“They invade the habitats of different algae within the seabed, which ends up in the disappearance of some species,” he mentioned, including that it could actually additionally displace some native fish.
Fast replica
In France, Spain and Portugal, the Rugulopteryx okamurae species has additionally been noticed.
Earlier this yr, Spanish soccer membership Real Betis launched kits repurposed from the seaweed to lift consciousness in regards to the situation.
A 2023 study by the Marine Drugs journal mentioned the alga’s invasive character led to “a alternative of the native biota and an occupancy price that reached virtually 100% in some places” in Portugal.
In Algeria, the plant has been noticed in at the very least three of the nation’s 14 coastal provinces, together with the capital where 16 seashores are affected, authorities mentioned.
“Are the waters appropriate for swimming? Yes,” mentioned Environment Minister Nadjiba Djilali throughout the cleanup marketing campaign, including there have been no data of the plant inflicting allergy symptoms.
Researcher Bahbah mentioned stopping its proliferation was “sadly unimaginable at this stage.”
She mentioned the plant reproduces at a high price, each sexually and asexually.
The species can reproduce by way of fragmentation, that means new particular person algae can develop from fragmented items of different Rugulopteryx okamurae algae.
The algae unfold primarily by clinging to the hulls of boats, and the Mediterranean’s average temperature favors the seaweed’s quick replica.
“We are going to combat it,” mentioned Fella Zaboudj, a state engineer in marine sciences, including that researchers have been monitoring its unfold, improvement and evolution.
Zaboudj mentioned analysis was additionally underneath strategy to decide whether or not the algae could possibly be repurposed as fertilizer.
© 2025 AFP
Citation:
Pacific algae invade Algeria seashores, pushing people and fish away ( 4)
5
pacific-algae-invade-algeria-beaches.html
The content material is offered for data functions solely.