Portugal launches national plan to control invasive algae
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The Portuguese government approved a National Action Program to control the invasive macroalga Rugulopteryx okamurae from 2026 to 2030.
This program aims to strengthen prevention, early detection, and response to the spread of the algae, which originated in the North Pacific and is considered a species of concern in the European Union. A working group coordinated by the Portuguese Environment Agency brought together public administration bodies, local governments, scientific institutions, and other organizations to develop the plan.
The algae first appeared in southern Portugal in 2021 and has since spread along the Algarve and Alentejo coasts, reaching Cascais in 2024. It also established itself in eight of the nine islands of the Azores archipelago by 2024. The algae’s rapid spread negatively impacts marine ecosystems and coastal economies. These effects include decreased catches for fishermen, damage to fishing gear, cleaning costs, reduced beach appeal, and additional expenses for local governments to remove accumulated biomass.
While complete eradication is not currently feasible, Minister of Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho stated the new program will shift from isolated interventions to a science-based national response focused on prevention and early detection. The program includes establishing a national georeferenced database, surveillance stations, underwater sensors, and remote cameras in critical areas. Portugal will also use satellite imagery, drones, and algorithms to predict algal drift based on currents and winds.
On the ground, responses may include manual or mechanical removal, extraction from the water column, and containment barriers. The plan also supports scientific research into sustainable removal methods, environmental and economic impacts, and ecological restoration.
