Editorial: Green slime threat to all

Sea lettuce is ruining sporting events.

It is green, slimy and smelly, and is starting to ruin the holiday fun.

No, not the Grinch, but the Bay's home grown green seasonal invader - sea lettuce. While the annual infestation of sea lettuce is well known to Bay residents, this year it is such a problem that it is hampering sports events. Kiri Gillespie reports today that in the past two weeks, sea lettuce has scuppered participants' performance in two beach-based events.

Two weeks ago a large chunk of sea lettuce at Papamoa Beach drifted into a key competitive surf life saving event, causing five races to be postponed. Yesterday sea lettuce at the Mount ruined Omanu athlete Max Beattie's chance of glory when he had to stop during the ski leg of the Mount Monster race to remove weed from his board, robbing him of a chance at first place.

Now there are concerns that the pongy slime is becoming such a threat to these events that the Bay may even miss out on hosting them, according to Surf Life Saving New Zealand club development officer Scott Bicknell.

It is not just sporting events that are affected by sea lettuce. Do we have to wait until sea lettuce kills someone before there is more urgency about removing it?

After all, it can bind itself to anyone using the water; swimmers, surfers and boaties. When on shore it not only ruins the aesthetics of our coastline but creates slippy holes on the sand that can be a hazard.

Early this year, it was revealed that fumes from rotting sea lettuce had made two Matua boys vomit.

While there is much debate on the causes of the increased abundance of this pest to our shores, I never hear much focus on what is being done about it. Let us hope the new councils continue to make it a priority to tackle this green monster that is an increasing threat to locals, and our sporting and tourist industries.