Record Sargassum Surge Covers Caribbean Beaches

A record amount of sargassum has washed up on beaches in the Caribbean, and more is coming.

ABC News reported last month that nearly 38 million metric tons of sargassum had been observed in the Caribbean, representing a 58% increase from the previous record of approximately 22 million metric tons set in June 2022.

That seaweed is now washing up on Caribbean beaches, causing a smelly public nuisance. It’s an issue that’s been plaguing the region since 2011, inundating beaches and threatening public health. Within 48 hours of being stranded, the algae begin to rot—releasing hydrogen sulphide and ammonia in the process, which is toxic both to delicate marine ecosystems and human health.

Authorities in Cancun, Mexico told Riviera Maya News that an unprecedented amount of sargassum was covering beaches in Cancun, both in terms of volume and frequency.

“What we’ve had in two or three days this year, last year we had in a month,” said José Antonio de la Torre Chambé, the General Director of Public Services. “The arrival amounts are more frequent, closer together. We have monitoring starting at 5:30 in the morning, and at 10:00 in the morning at which time the mayor makes decisions about which beaches and what personnel will be sent to remove the seaweed.”

Over 37,600 tons of the thick brown alga are expected to wash up on the Quintana Roo coast this year alone, according to Yucatán Magazine, leaving hotels and resorts with mounting cleanup costs to keep beaches looking pristine.