France’s Government Criticized for Incomplete Measures Against Green Algae Pollution

Five years after a stern report from France’s highest financial court, the Cour des comptes has renewed criticism of the government’s partial response to the ongoing green algae pollution affecting coastal ecosystems. While some efforts have been made to address the environmental and health scandal in polluted bays, crucial coastal mudflats (vasières) have been neglected in these actions.

The exclusion of mudflats from the regional fight plan is particularly concerning since these areas are vital for biodiversity and local fishermen’s livelihoods. In the Gulf of Morbihan, for instance, fishermen report spending several hours disentangling their nets from accumulated green algae, which has increasingly washed ashore in these zones.

This selective approach raises serious questions about the effectiveness and comprehensiveness of the state’s strategy to combat this pollution. Despite progress in tackling algal issues in certain bays, the vulnerable mudflat habitats continue to deteriorate, with rising algal strandings threatening both ecosystem health and fishing activities.

According to the Cour des comptes, the government's current half-measures fail to fully address the scale of the crisis, underscoring an urgent need to extend protective and remediation efforts to all affected coastal areas. Without this inclusive approach, vital biodiversity hotspots and fisheries remain at risk.