ReachExtra
OPINION: What happens if we do not do something about this?
Solving the issues of Asian Seaweed Rugulopteryx Okamurae
Any living being that invades an ecosystem transforms it. Let’s put it this way: the previous transformation of this ecosystem allows for the expansion of the invasive species.
The lack of action against the invasive, exotic seaweed is dangerous, since it will cause an irreversible transformation throughout the Strait by giving continuity to the administrative negligence that facilitated its previous loss of biodiversity and, with it, our own way of life.
Many have defended the notion that the marine ecosystem will regulate itself. This seaweed did not establish itself in the Strait of Gibraltar with moderation nor has it struggled for space with the local marine life. It has happened in an unprecedented, expansive and overwhelming way.
Therefore, although it is difficult to provide an accurate forecast, it is not unreasonable to estimate that it will take years of self-regulation, which would mean all marine life would need to adapt until we can see a substantial change.
For example, species that are being displaced from our coasts, such as the sea urchin, the winkle or the limpet, will never exist here again. Their vanishing also implies the disappearance of the fish that feed on them, and with it, we will see a modification of the food chain in the Strait.
Overexploitation of a species will lead to its elimination – scientific research has revealed one of the seaweed’s weaknesses; it just needs a predator, the human being.
By establishing a market price of 10 cents per kilo of fresh seaweed, a legion of shell-fishermen – under the guidelines of a Species Management Plan – would be able to work every single day of the year, bringing natural raw material to a processing plant.
This plant would manufacture a final product produced in Strait of Gibraltar, allowing for the gradual re-entry of native species. Because just removing algae from the beach – and using public money to do so – will only lead to the burying of money and our ecosystem.
A Foreign Asian seaweed ‘Rugulopteryx Okamurae’ is invading the Straits of Gibraltar, damaging local marinelife and threatening the ecosystem.
