Green beaches are scaring off holidaymakers - Constable

Friday 08 August 2014

Tourists are being scared off of Jersey’s green beaches, the Constable of St Helier has warned.

Simon Crowcroft is worried about the effects of the green “Sea Lettuce” that has been taking over beaches, particularly the tourist hotspot of St Aubin’s Bay. He is calling for States departments to get together and sort out the problem before we end up getting a reputation as a seaside holiday destination with smelly beaches.

Mr Crowcroft said: “They are willing to clear the beach regularly of seaweed, but at present day they are only allowed to push the sea lettuce down the beach.

“This is clearly not a sensible or practical solution to the problem, as the sea lettuce is merely bought back up the beach by the next tide.”

Having talked to tourists he stresses that the main worries were the smell and texture of the seaweed and that some were even worried about its potential harmful effects. This becomes an even more prominent issue with the Battle of Flowers just around the corner.

Another issue raised by the Constable was that the smelly seaweed comes at a price: “I have had several complaints from concerned parishioners about the impact this seaweed is having on the beach during prime holiday month for St Helier, especially as the parish and the states have jointly funded the restoration of the Victoria Marine Lake, which is also being affected by the seaweed.”

The Constable is asking for more to be done by the Environmental department and the Transport and Technical Services department. He has even suggested alternative uses of the sea lettuce including using it on land or drying and burning it in the incinerator.