What’s that smell?
If you have vacationed on a Caribbean or Mexican beach you have probably said those words at one time. No, it is not a slam to those beautiful beaches or the countries they belong to…it is about the Sargassum. Sargassum, it just sounds stinky and it is, especially after a few days decomposing in the sun on your favorite white sand beach. Those mounds of brown smelly Sargassum didn’t start out that way in fact Sargassum plays a very important role in our oceans. Keep reading to learn more and get some Pro Tips for avoiding seaweed on vacation.
What is it and where did it come from?
It’s seaweed. Sargassum was seen almost exclusively in the Sargasso Sea which is an area in the Atlantic defined by ocean currents rather than actual land borders, unlike other seas on the planet. Most recently, scientists have discovered a new bloom in the shape of an oval between Brazil and Western Africa which seems to be affecting the Caribbean and Southeastern US more than usual. If you have ever taken a cruise and looked over the rail to see brown branch like pieces floating randomly with no land in sight, then it is probably Sargassum. Sargassum comes together in what is called rafts and these rafts are home to a wide array of marine life. Many inhabitants have adapted to life on the high seas and spend their entire lives in the Sargassum.
Turtles use the rafts as safe nurseries for their hatchlings while many fish use the Sargassum sea as a spawning ground and yet others use it as a stop during migration for a quick meal.
Eventually Sargassum loses buoyancy and sinks to the seabed providing important nutrients to marine life in the deep sea. Sargassum is of such ecological importance that it has been designated an Essential Fish Habitat. Pretty impressive isn’t it?
Why is it here and what are its effects?
As mentioned earlier, Mother Nature didn’t intend for Sargassum to waste away on a beach and ruin your vacation. It should be on the bottom of the ocean providing nutrients for our fellow inhabitants of this beautiful planet but that is not always the case now. There are many that believe this new bloom is caused by deforestation in the Amazon as well as fertilizer runoff from South America. Resorts along the U.S., Caribbean and Mexican coastlines are frantically searching for an answer as to how these mounds of decomposing seaweed should be dealt with.
During its life cycle at sea, Sargassum provides a haven for marine life however when it washes on shore or into shallow water the opposite happens. Due to the large amounts of phosphorus it generates, prairies of seagrass can be negatively affected for up to 60 years and sea turtle hatchlings can become lost and confused in the tangled mess. For humans it can mean harmful bacteria growing in the water or bringing trash and debris ashore that has gotten intertwined. Unfortunately, Sargassum is coming ashore in such vast quantities that burying is just not an option and we can’t gather it at sea considering the amount of marine life it sustains. The area right before it washes ashore for collection seems to be the best place to catch hit, but how?
What do we do with it?
Currently the countries affected are working on solutions and many creative individuals have developed some promising solutions. There are many commercial uses being explored including using it as plant food or fertilizer. There has also been discussion on developing a possible biofuel. Of course, the potential medical uses could be groundbreaking.
"Diving under sargassum is like diving in another world (...) If you can't get out on a reef, it's just as good."
— Billy Causey, Southeast Regional Director for NOAA's Office of Marine Sanctuaries
So, there you have it, Sargassum. A question I get asked constantly is whether a client will see a lot of stinky seaweed on their beach vacation. The answer is simple…I don’t know. I utilize a website to track it however just like everything in nature, the predictions are exact and none of know what it’s going to be like on your beach from one day to the next. If you are looking at a giant mound of rotting seaweed on your vacation, don’t terrorize the resort staff or your travel advisor because there is NOTHING they can do. Trust me when I say that if I had a crystal ball to use when advising my clients, I would be one happy travel advisor!
Try to keep in mind that while Sargassum is stinky and not the best view from your hotel room, she was once a beautiful lady that everyone wanted to hang out with.
PRO TIP: If your resort has a Sargassum problem that day, ask if the beaches further south or north are in the same condition. Often, they aren’t, and you can still have your beach day, just not right outside your front door. Check out the website for SEAS Forecasting for an idea of what you can expect on your next beach visit.
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