A restaurant in Qingdao has developed a whole line of dishes that include algae, while local authorities are spending a great deal of time and effort trying to wipe out the seaweed.

The algae, enteromorpha prolifera, which have appeared in huge blooms in the coastal waters around the Shandong province city every summer since 2008, have become a burden for local agencies cleaning up beaches. The organisms have had an adverse effect on the ocean environment and local tourism during the peak season in July and August.

Since the restaurant, Liang Chu Fei Chang Hao, introduced its algae dishes last year, customers have praised the offerings.