New rules allow clearing of sea grass from natural beaches

The build-up of posidonia on Costa Blanca beaches has once again become a source of controversy this summer, particularly in Denia. In response, the Generalitat, led by the Partido Popular, has announced an exceptional measure that directly affects the town’s natural beaches.

The regional Department of the Environment has updated the good practice manual to permit the removal of posidonia oceanica in specific cases on health and safety grounds. The measure will only apply between June 15 and September 15 and covers much of Denia’s coastline.

Removal will only be authorised when accumulations exceed 10 centimetres in height and 1.5 metres in width. Furthermore, it will not be required to carry out the work manually, meaning that machinery may in practice be used on the sand.

Environmental manual updated

The resolution adapts sections a) and d) of point 4 of the manual, introducing new criteria while prohibiting removal in protected areas or those included in the Natura 2000 network.

In a statement issued on Friday August 29, the Department stressed that the manual “is a tool available to coastal councils to help balance healthy enjoyment of the beaches with the necessary priority of their conservation.” While recognising that posidonia plays a vital role in protecting ecosystems, the administration admitted that its accumulation can affect beach use and tourism.

Restrictions eased

The manual was approved on April 15 2024 by the current Partido Popular administration but has generated controversy, as in recent summers it prevented the removal of significant amounts of posidonia from Denia’s natural beaches. Its origins, however, date back to Decree 64/2022 of the previous Botànic government, which had already established a regulatory framework for the protection of seagrass meadows in the Valencian Community.