Government Admits There Is No Stand alone Plan to Combat Invasive Algae in the Azores

Rugulopteryx okamurae Continues to Spread as Authorities Focus on Monitoring, Research, and Adaptive Management

The Regional Government of the Azores has acknowledged that there is currently no independent regional action plan specifically dedicated to combating the invasive algae species Rugulopteryx okamurae, despite growing concerns about its impact on marine ecosystems, coastal environments, and ocean-based economic activities throughout the archipelago.

The admission was made in a response sent to the Azorean Parliament following a parliamentary inquiry submitted by the CDS-PP. The issue has gained increasing attention in recent years as the invasive brown algae continues to expand across coastal areas of the Azores, raising concerns among scientists, environmental organizations, fishermen, and local communities.

According to the Government, the measures recommended by Regional Resolution 33/2022/A have been implemented at varying levels, depending on the responsibilities of different public entities. While several initiatives have been undertaken, officials confirmed that no formal, autonomous strategy devoted exclusively to Rugulopteryx okamurae currently exists.

The response highlights ongoing cooperation between regional agencies and public entities, including the Portos dos Açores authority, aimed at strengthening surveillance and management of invasive marine species in port areas.

At the center of the current scientific effort is the ROKAMURAE AZ project, a comprehensive study conducted by the University of the Azores and funded by the Regional Government. The research examined the distribution of the algae throughout the archipelago, evaluated possible uses for the accumulated biomass, and explored methods for controlling its spread.

The findings paint a troubling picture.

Researchers concluded that Rugulopteryx okamurae possesses remarkable ecological adaptability, reproduces primarily through asexual mechanisms, and spreads efficiently through fragmentation and clonal growth. The study confirms that the species continues to expand throughout the islands and is already causing measurable impacts on coastal ecosystems. Native macroalgae are being displaced, biodiversity among marine invertebrates is declining, and habitats are becoming increasingly homogenized.

Perhaps the most sobering conclusion of the study is that eradication appears highly unlikely.

Government officials state that no proven method currently exists to effectively eliminate the species once it becomes established in the natural environment. Its extraordinary capacity for regeneration and rapid recolonization makes conventional removal efforts largely ineffective. As a result, scientific recommendations now focus on continuous monitoring, early detection of new outbreaks, management of algae accumulations along shorelines, and public awareness initiatives.

The Government also acknowledges limitations in the current monitoring system. There is no single regional mechanism operating across all ports and coastal infrastructures specifically designed to detect Rugulopteryx okamurae at an early stage. Efforts are underway, however, to improve coordination between the Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies and Portos dos Açores through a formal cooperation protocol.

One question that remains unresolved is how the species first arrived in the Azores.

While ballast water has often been cited internationally as a pathway for invasive marine organisms, the Government considers this less likely in the Azorean case, noting that vessels operating in the islands more frequently take on ballast water than discharge it. Researchers believe that hull fouling and other forms of maritime transport may have played a more significant role in introducing the species to the archipelago.

Current mitigation efforts have focused largely on removing algae washed ashore. Porto Pim, on Faial Island, has become one of the most visible examples of the challenge. Over the past three years, approximately €50,000 has been spent on cleaning operations in the bay, excluding additional labor and equipment supplied by regional services.

Authorities are also testing innovative solutions. A pilot project is evaluating whether floating barriers can help direct drifting biomass toward areas where collection becomes easier or prevent large accumulations in sensitive locations.

The possibility of transforming the algae into an economic resource remains under investigation. Researchers have identified potential applications in agriculture, animal feed, biotechnology, and the emerging blue bioeconomy. However, officials caution that these possibilities remain experimental and require significant additional research before they can become commercially viable.

Meanwhile, public awareness efforts continue. During 2025, educational sessions organized through the LIFE IP Azores Natura project brought together more than 240 participants across Faial, Terceira, and São Miguel, including fishermen, maritime tourism operators, researchers, public officials, and members of the general public.

Although no dedicated action plan currently exists, the Government says the issue will be incorporated into a broader Regional Strategy for Non-Indigenous and Invasive Marine Species now under development. That strategy is expected to include a specialized geoportal, occurrence reporting systems, distribution maps, identification tools, and protocols for monitoring and prevention.

For now, the Regional Government recognizes that managing Rugulopteryx okamurae will require a long-term and adaptive approach. Rather than promising eradication, authorities are focusing on understanding the species, limiting its impacts where possible, and developing new tools to help coastal communities coexist with one of the most significant marine invasive species ever recorded in Azorean waters.

As scientists continue to study its behavior and policymakers search for effective responses, the spread of Rugulopteryx okamurae serves as a reminder of both the vulnerability of island ecosystems and the growing environmental challenges facing the North Atlantic in an era of increasing global connectivity and ecological change.

In Diário dos Açores, Paulo Viveiros, director.