Seaweed pile-up on Liepāja beach sparks social media debate

A video posted on Threads showing a large accumulation of seaweed on Liepāja's beach has drawn attention online. The video's author, identified as Guna, asked why Latvia does not clear seaweed as regularly as, for example, Spain, where special equipment is used during the season. She argued that Liepāja's beach, as a symbolic calling card for the city, should be kept tidier, suggesting regular removal could also benefit the local ecology.

The footage shows a significant buildup of seaweed, making it difficult for beachgoers to reach the water without wading through it first.

City says cleanup is ongoing

Comments under the post pointed out that seaweed removal in Liepāja actually does happen on a regular basis. According to the news portal Liepājniekiem, the first seaweed collection of the season took place on the night of June 26. Liepāja's mayor, Uldis Sesks, has also been posting videos on social media documenting the removal work.

The city's Municipal Utility Department confirmed that work has been ongoing, estimating that around 6,500 cubic metres of seaweed were removed from the beach in the final week of July alone.