Sargassum, a type of brown algae, poses significant challenges in the Caribbean, particularly impacting tourism and local ecosystems. Three types of sargassum reproduce asexually and thrive on light, nutrients, and warm water. Experts suggest that agricultural runoff, rising water temperatures, and changes in environmental conditions may contribute to increasing sargassum blooms.
While large sargassum formations in the open ocean create vital habitats for marine life, sargassum accumulating near shores can block sunlight vital for coral reefs and suffocate sea grasses. Once these algae reach land, they can also decompose, releasing unpleasant odors and toxins harmful to humans and wildlife. This has created considerable issues in popular tourist destinations, such as Punta Cana, where barriers are used to prevent sargassum from reaching the shore. In St. Maarten, emergency clean-up crews were deployed in response to complaints about strong ammonia-like odors.
French officials have indicated plans to utilize upgraded vessels for effective cleanup, though these options are expensive and labor-intensive, raising concerns about potentially disrupting turtle nests during the process. Financial limitations faced by many Caribbean islands mean that most cleanup efforts rely on hotels, which sometimes compensate guests affected by beach conditions.
Sargassum blooms begin in late spring, peak in summer, and decline in the late fall or winter. However, experts forecast an increase in sargassum levels, setting a new record for June and underscoring the ongoing impact this environmental phenomenon has on the region’s coastal communities and economies.
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