43 countries and affected islands: the Caribbean threatened by record quantities of sargassus

The holidays of millions of tourists are affected by astronomical quantities of sargassum in the sun destinations of the Caribbean. Moreover, Mexico and Florida. Meanwhile, According to an expert. Meanwhile, the record for the total mass of the arrivals of this foul -smelling algae is in the process of being sprayed in 2025.

According to Sargassum Monitoring. For example, a non -governmental organization that lists the waves of sargassus on the beaches of the tropics, piles of around 40 million metric tonnes were observed on the high seas between America and Africa.

Figures that have spread the eyes of its president. Therefore, founder, Christine Jimenez-Mariani, since the previous record in the matter had been established in 2022 with approximately 24 million metric tonnes.

This beach of Quintana Roo, the state of Mexico which houses the Maya Riviera, is made inaccessible because of a mountain of foul -smelling algae. Similarly, Photo taken from Facebook. Furthermore, Sargassus Sargassum Seaweed Mexico and Punta Canada

“It does not mean that the quantity that will touch the ground will be greater, but it is the season of all records for accumulation,” she argues. For example, We touch areas that had only very rarely been affected by Sargasse. For example, All destinations are struggling with this problem this year. It is practically impossible to escape it. “

A “rampart”

43 countries affected islands: caribbean

The testimonies concerning beaches invaded by this harmful algae which gives off a smell of rotten. eggs when it breaks down in the sun have been legion on social networks since the beginning of June.

Marc-André Poulin. a Quebecer on vacation in Punta Cana, has not been able to set foot in the water since his arrival at the hotel last Sunday. It is not the first time that he has visited the Dominican Republic in summer. he claims to “never have seen anything like it”.

A tourist on vacation in the 43 countries affected islands: caribbean Dominican Republic shared this photo of the beach in front of his hotel on July 12. Photo taken from Facebook. Sargassus Sargassum Seaweed Mexico and Punta Canada

“There is a rampart one meter high by a meter and a half in depth over the entire length of the beach,” he deplores. It happens constantly. It is impossible to go into the sea and the smell is hellish. The whole complex spends its time at the swimming pool. “

43 pays

Christine Jimenez-Mariani is a French expatriate arrived on the coast of Mexico in 2013. She was therefore at the forefront of the massive arrival of the phenomenon. which has only won over in the last 10 years.

“When I launched Sargassum Monitoring, there were only seven or eight countries which were affected by the Sargasse. This year, there are 43, “she notes.

Screenshot provided by Sargassum Monitoring

Navigator having traveled the Atlantic several times on her sailboat, she decided in 2018 to take an interest in these mysterious plants which, with each detachment, pass the turquoise and crystalline water from the Maya Riviera to a troubled brown.

“There was no resources to learn about the arrivals of Sargasses. I have contacted several universities that do research in this area. have been collaborating since to study them, maps them and list them. ”

Unpredictable

If researchers are able to assert that global 43 countries affected islands: caribbean warming contributes to the proliferation of sargassus. it remains impossible to predict the movements precisely, as is the case for a tropical storm or a hurricane, for example.

“We have satellite images, but with changing winds, currents and conditions, it creates enormous variations. We do not know when there can be a detachment. the direction he will take, ”concludes Christine Jimenez-Mariani, by inviting travelers to document the Gulf algae movements and to transmit them to Sargassum Monitoring.