Tourists warned of 'stinky' algae invading beaches at popular holiday destination

The algae is believed to have arrived from Asia and is giving off an awful stench.

The development comes as a hammer blow to holidaymakers, including many from the United Kingdom, who enjoy visiting Canos de Meca beach in Cadiz.

Tourists have started cancelling bookings to the popular Spanish holiday hotspot.

Cadiz recently reported welcoming 100,000 British tourists and the total number visiting Spain exceeded 18 million in 2022.

Problems in Andalucia were first recorded a few years ago but rising sea levels have only made the issue worse.

A spokeswoman for Ecologistas en Acción said the situation is "a real disaster especially for fishing".

They added: “They cast the nets and only capture algae.

“It is a significant danger, but no-one has taken it seriously until people have not been able to even get into the water due to the amount of algae there is."

The spokeswoman also warned that algae has no predators which would therefore limit the ability to contain the odour.

Centre-left political party PSOE, which is in opposition in Cadiz’s Parliament, claimed that many tourists have been spotted leaving the beaches due to the invasive swarm of algae.

The local PSOE branch said: “It cannot be said that it is an isolated event, since for more than a few months, in places such as Los Caños de Meca beach, Playa del Carmen or Yerbabuena.

“You are seeing such an enormous amount that it practically covers the sand.”

They added: “Tourists are leaving our beaches because of the image generated by the algae due to its unhealthiness and its putrefaction.”

Action is being taken to resolve the situation, including the use of tractors and diggers.

Despite valiant efforts, the local economy is taking a hammering as cancellations increase during an otherwise busy summer season.