Sea lettuce is again piling up on local shores. Officials say there’s little they can do about the unsightly and malodorous invasion except simply remove it. Mike Laidman reports.

This is the seashore in (오조리) Ojo-ri, (성산읍) Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo City.

A thick layer of dark green sea lettuce floats on the water along the seashore.

Bunch of the green algae can be scooped with a simple rod from the water.

On the rocks, the dried algae is jumbled together with marine debris.

INTERVIEW
Chae Jong-hak / Area resident
The plant just sits in the water, and then it sinks and causes a horrific odor. The smell is terrible around here.
<인터뷰 : 채종학 / 성산읍 오조리 >
"이제 이게 오래되면 썩어서 물 밑으로 가라 앉으면 냄새도 나고 이 주변으로 썩은 냄새로 형편없어..."

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Problem on eastern and western shores

Thick layer of the green plant is observed at extended areas of eastern and western seashore of the island, but mostly in waters near (성산읍) Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, (조천읍) Jocheon-eup, Jeju City.

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Prime cause: high nitrogen levels

Specialist say the biggest culprit of the phenomenon is the high level of nitrogen in the water.

Effluent discharged from aquafarms and underground water constantly provide nitrogen to ocean waters, meanwhile breakwaters block the tidal current.

INTERVIEW
Song Yeong-cheol / Jeju Public Health and Environment Research Inst.
The high level of nitrogen in local waters is the main cause of the spread of sea lettuce.
<인터뷰: 송영철/ 道보건환경연구원 환경연구사>
"제주연안에 발생하는 구멍갈파래의 대량 번식의 원인은 (바닷물 속) 질소 오염원에 의해섭니다."

However, removal of the plant is the only solution authorities could have.

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Park Byeong-joon

The province is spending 1 billion won in removing more than 1,000 tons of the sea lettuce every year.

Mike Laidman, KCTV