Cork council to create taskforce to tackle 'plague' of rotting sea lettuce on numerous beaches

Council workers clearing some of the sea lettuce recently in Robert's Cove which is likely to get worse as seas continue to warm.

A taskforce is being established to tackle the ‘stink and fly infestation’ caused by rotting sea lettuce washing ashore and polluting multiple locations in the Cork region.

The phenomenon has become more pronounced in recent years, attributed to global warming combined with increased nitrate run-off into the sea from farm fertilizers. The growth of sea lettuce is stimulated by sunlight, increasing water temperatures and the nutrients it extracts from nitrates.

When washed ashore bacteria feeding on it emit sulphur dioxide which causes an odor comparable to the smell of rotten eggs. This, allied to piles of it being washed up on the sand, is turning off many locals and tourists who would usually visit beaches along the south coast, with the resultant downturn in income for tourist-related businesses.

The problem has become so severe that a senior county council official has announced the establishment of the dedicate taskforce to address the issue. The news was relayed to councillors representing the Carrigaline Municipal District, whose area has what is regarded as the worst sea lettuce infestation in the county.

Crosshaven-based Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley raised the issue after a "plague" of sea lettuce recently washed up on the popular beach at Robert’s Cove.

Sea lettuce in Robert's Cove, Cork.

Maurice Murphy, the council’s senior executive officer, said the local authority is setting up ‘a cross-directorate group’ which is being led by three divisional managers to examine how best to address this issue “which occurs at multiple locations across the county.” 

A number of areas in West Cork have also been hit, but not as acutely as Robert’s Cove. Point Beach in Crosshaven has also fallen victim.

The situation in Robert’s Cove has revealed a problem which is likely to get worse in coming years as seas continue to warm.

Ms Buckley pointed out that council workers recently cleared Robert’s Cove beach of it on a Friday, only for it to be covered again just three days later. Local residents have been clearing paths through it so visitors can go for a swim.

But Fine Gael councillor Una McCarthy pointed out that despite this civic-minded work, said visitors are understandably put off after encountering the rotting lettuce, the smell and the flies.

She said:

We're lucky to have some fantastic beaches in the lower harbour area, but when people are choosing whether to go to Myrtleville, or Rocky Bay, or Fountainstown, or Robert’s Cove, they will often see Robert’s Cove as not an option because of the sea lettuce.

Meanwhile, Bera-based independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said it is also causing a big problem at piers and slipways in West Cork.

He said as sea lettuce is slimy this presents a health a safety issue, and instead of piers usually getting a once-a-year clean they’ve already had two this year and will probably need another one before the end of the summer.