What's happened
In June 2025, the Caribbean faces a record 38 million metric tons of sargassum algae, disrupting tourism and harming wildlife. The algae's presence has forced school closures in Martinique and prompted emergency cleanups across the region. Experts are investigating the causes behind this unprecedented surge.
What's behind the headline?
Impact on Ecosystems and Tourism
- Wildlife Threats: Sargassum can block sunlight essential for coral reefs, smothering marine life and disrupting ecosystems.
- Tourism Challenges: The algae's foul odor and presence on beaches deter tourists, impacting local economies reliant on tourism.
Cleanup Efforts
- Resource Intensive: Cleanup methods vary, with some islands using barriers and heavy equipment, while others rely on hotel efforts to manage the situation.
- Financial Strain: Many Caribbean islands face financial difficulties, complicating cleanup efforts and leading to temporary solutions like refunds for affected tourists.
Future Projections
- Experts predict that sargassum levels will continue to rise, with expectations of even more algae in June 2025. This trend poses ongoing challenges for the region's environment and economy.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, the current sargassum bloom is the largest recorded since monitoring began, with Brian Barnes from the University of South Florida stating, "The peaks just seem to keep getting bigger and bigger year after year." The Independent echoes this sentiment, highlighting the algae's impact on tourism and wildlife, noting that the smell has led to school closures in Martinique. Frank Comito, special adviser to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, emphasizes the economic implications, stating, "It is a challenge, but it’s certainly not affecting every single inch of the Caribbean." This contrast in perspectives illustrates the varying degrees of impact across the region, with some areas more severely affected than others.
How we got here
The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt has been monitored since 2011, with the current algae bloom surpassing the previous record of 22 million metric tons set in June 2022. Factors such as agricultural runoff and climate change are believed to contribute to the increasing sargassum levels.
Go deeper
- What are the long-term effects of sargassum on marine life?
- How are local governments responding to the algae crisis?
- What can tourists expect when visiting affected areas?
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