Posidonia 'does not smell' and 'saves coasts from destruction'

Environmental experts say Dénia 'would have been washed away centuries ago' if it were not for its seven-kilometre 'Neptune grass reef'

A PROFESSOR of environmental studies and a leading researcher have confirmed Dénia is doing the right thing by not clearing up the heaps of Neptune grass washed up on its beaches, since they protect the coast from erosion.

In light of a flood of complaints from residents and tourists over summer about 'piles of seaweed' spoiling the beaches and 'rotting and stinking' on the shores, Dénia port authority sought out the oracle – Dr Ramón Margalef of the Multidisciplinary Environmental Research Institute and Professor César Bordehore of Alicante University.

Both say the coastal stretch 'owned' by Dénia, from the Marge Roig in the north of town through to the Punta dels Molins which is, geographically, in El Verger, has a seven-kilometre 'reef' of Posidonia Oceanica – otherwise known as Mediterranean tapeweed or Neptune grass – along its sea bed.

And 'without it, Dénia would not exist', says Prof Bordehore, because the sea would have washed away not only the beaches, but the town itself, over centuries.

The two experts stress Posidonia is 'not seaweed', but a marine plant of huge environmental value and which reflects the 'health' of the seawater and its ecosystems, and that 'many sandy shores are only here' because of its presence.

Scientific advisor for the port authority Gabriel Martínez, after talking with the two specialists, reiterated that Neptune grass 'does not smell'.

Professor Bordehore added that if the piles on the beaches do pong, it is because of 'an invasive seaweed which accompanies' the Mediterranean Tapeweed when it is washed ashore and which 'rots very quickly'.

Its presence 'tells us there is something wrong in the water', the lecturer reveals.

Martínez also stresses that thanks to the Posidonia, the high shipping traffic along Dénia's coasts has not caused 'any significant damage' – although the buoys along the shores also help.

Dénia port authority is very environmentally-aware – it is behind the Montgó Science Station which carries out research in the field – and works closely with the fishermen's community.

Martínez praised the latter for their 'excellent work', given that they also collect up plastic waste they find in the sea and bring it back to shore for recycling.