Los Alcázares council has become the first local authority to obtain permission to remove concentrations of the invasive algae Caulerpa prolifera from the Mar Menor. The initiative aims to tackle the environmental damage caused by the species and reduce the build-up of mud along parts of the lagoon.
Caulerpa prolifera began colonising the Mar Menor after the opening of the Estacio channel led to a drop in salinity. According to a report by consultancy IngenierĂa del Entorno Natural, commissioned by the council last year, the algae has expanded more rapidly since the lagoon’s ecological collapse in 2016.
The study found that the species generates sediment and makes it harder for the protected native seagrass Cymodocea nodosa to recolonise affected areas. Local officials say removing the invasive algae is a pioneering step towards restoring the lagoon’s fragile ecosystem.
This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by a human editor before publication.