Orihuela Council has awarded a one-year contract for the collection, removal and transport of posidonia oceanica remains from the municipality’s beaches. The contract, worth €80,520, has gone to Proyectos y Servicios Ruiz Segura, the only company to submit a bid, almost three months after the tender was launched.

The delay meant the service was not in place for the peak summer season, prompting continued complaints from residents and beach users about the presence and smell of seaweed. The service operates from Easter to mid-October. Posidonia remains on the beaches during the rest of the year because it helps protect and stabilise dunes, reducing coastal erosion.

The council says removal requires authorisation from the Directorate-General for the Natural and Animal Environment, including after severe storms. Its Coast Department has also launched free public activities to explain the ecological importance of posidonia and other marine plants.

The programme starts on Wednesday, 16 September, with a conference at 7pm at Campoamor Nautical Club. Three workshops, called “Weaving Posidonia”, will run there from 21 to 25 September and will combine coastal observation, discussion and art. Places must be booked in advance through orihuelaturistica.es.