Belize's Seaweed Status: Answering The Question

Belize has been facing a seaweed problem since 2015, with beaches being invaded by a foul-smelling, brown algae called Sargassum. This seaweed, which is not harmful to humans, usually starts to appear around March and peaks during the summer months. While it mostly affects the eastern side of land masses, some of Belize's islands, such as Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, have also experienced moderate seaweed problems on their eastern shores. The southern region of Belize, including Hopkins and Placencia, has been particularly hard hit. The seaweed decomposes on the shore, releasing a putrid odour and making the beaches unattractive, which has become a direct threat to the country's tourism industry.

Sargassum seaweed's impact on Belize's tourism industry

Sargassum seaweed has had a significant impact on Belize's tourism industry. The seaweed, which usually starts to invade Belize's beaches around March, has a strong, unpleasant smell as it decomposes and makes the beaches unattractive. This has been a problem for Belize since 2011, with the seaweed causing a decline in fish populations and affecting the quality of tours, as well as deterring tourists from visiting the country.

The seaweed has had a direct impact on tourism, with beachside hotels and restaurants being the primary establishments facing the threat of sargassum. The seaweed has also made it difficult for tourists to swim in the sea, with some reporting skin allergies and respiratory complications. The impact of sargassum on tourism was particularly notable in 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2022, and it is expected to return to the country in late February or March 2024.

The Belizean government has attempted to combat the problem by offering tax relief to coastal hotels and providing support for the cleaning efforts of tourism businesses. The government is also considering converting sargassum into energy through a partnership with a German company. Local businesses have also been working to tackle the problem, with some hiring private cleaners to keep their beaches in pristine condition.

The stench and unsightliness of rotting seaweed

The smell of rotting sargassum has been described as a sulphuric rotten egg stench, which is not only unpleasant for tourists but also poses a threat to the country's vital tourism industry. In addition to the odour, large piles of seaweed can make the beaches unattractive, with some areas of the Caribbean being covered for miles. This is particularly problematic for Belize, as it relies heavily on its pristine white sand beaches to draw travellers from around the world.

The seaweed tends to affect the eastern side of land masses, so the mainland of Belize can be quite badly affected. However, even the islands of Belize, such as Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, have experienced moderate seaweed problems on their east sides. The good news is that the west sides of these islands, such as Secret Beach on Ambergris Caye, tend to be free of seaweed, thanks to the protection offered by the barrier reef just offshore.

The increase in sargassum has been linked to various factors, including climate change, human sewage, fertilisers being washed from rivers into the ocean, and dust blowing from Africa's Sahara Desert. While the exact reasons are not yet fully understood, it is clear that human activities in the seas and on the coasts are triggering this pollution problem. The rapid growth of sargassum is stimulated by the irregular and inadequate treatment of sewage water and agricultural runoff rich in fertiliser.

To combat the problem, the Belizean government has teamed up with local hoteliers and islanders to create task forces to remove the seaweed from the beaches. This often involves teams of workers with rakes, wheelbarrows, and ATVs collecting the seaweed, which is then taken away by dump trucks to landfill sites. Some resorts employ up to 30 people per day to deal with the issue. However, this constant digging and bulldozing can cause sand erosion, requiring new sand to be trucked in.

A more permanent solution may be to collect the seaweed before it hits the shore by installing barriers in the ocean. Boats can then collect the sargassum from the sea and place it on barges. Belize is also exploring the possibility of capturing the seaweed in the channels of its barrier reef, which lies just offshore. In addition, there is ongoing research into how to use sargassum productively, such as for biofuel, animal feed, building materials, bioplastics, lotions, hair products, and food items like shakes and jellies.

The National Meteorological Service of Belize's efforts to tackle the issue

The National Meteorological Service of Belize has been monitoring the seaweed situation in the country and has provided forecasts and updates on the expected impact. For example, in March 2022, the service projected an increase in the brown algae near Belize, with a medium to high chance of more seaweed polluting the beaches. The service has also attributed the increase in seaweed to windier days and moderate easterly airflow, which blows the seaweed to shore.

To tackle the seaweed issue, the National Meteorological Service of Belize has been working with other organizations and providing information to help mitigate the problem. The service's forecasts and updates help local authorities, hoteliers, and residents prepare for and manage the impact of seaweed on their areas. Additionally, the service has been monitoring the seaweed concentration in the Caribbean Sea, which has been increasing significantly.

The National Meteorological Service of Belize's efforts to tackle the seaweed issue also include collaborating with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) to mitigate the problem. For example, the San Pedro Town Council, in partnership with the BTB, planned to spend around $20,000 annually to rid the beaches of seaweed. The council also intended to acquire a beach rake, a tool that has proven effective in keeping the beaches clean.

Furthermore, the National Meteorological Service of Belize's forecasts and updates are crucial for the local task forces that combat the constant mats of seaweed washing ashore. These task forces, comprising hoteliers and residents, face a challenging and ever-changing situation each year. The service's predictions help them prepare and take appropriate actions to keep their areas free of the foul-smelling algae.

Overall, the National Meteorological Service of Belize plays a vital role in addressing the seaweed issue by providing timely information, collaborating with relevant organizations, and supporting local efforts to minimize the impact of seaweed on the country's beaches and tourism industry.

The use of seaweed in creating animal feed, building materials, and bioplastics

Seaweed has been used as a building material in several different traditions. Seaweed is a sustainable material that is available in many regions, reproduces itself in the sea, and is easy to obtain from the seashore. It is non-toxic, fireproof, provides good insulation, and has a life expectancy of more than 150 years. In some regions, such as the Danish islands, seaweed was traditionally used in vernacular architecture.

Seaweed has been used as an animal feed in coastal areas since ancient times. Seaweed is rich in useful metabolites and minerals, and is considered a natural source of additives that can substitute the use of antibiotics in various animals. Seaweed can be used to improve animal immune status, decrease microbial load in the digestive tract, and provide beneficial effects on meat and eggs.

Seaweed is also used to create bioplastics. Seaweed-based bioplastics are designed to replace plastics used in fast food packaging. Seaweed-based coatings are not made from synthetic polymers and are biodegradable.

Seaweed is a promising material for a wide range of applications, including building materials, animal feed, and bioplastics.

The Caribbean's seaweed season

The Caribbean has been dealing with the Sargassum seaweed problem since around 2010, and the issue has only escalated due to rising ocean temperatures. Sargassum mostly affects the eastern side of land masses, and in the Caribbean, it particularly impacts the beaches of Belize, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Florida. In Belize, the southern regions, including Hopkins and Placencia, have been hit the hardest, while other areas like Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker have experienced more moderate levels of seaweed.

The influx of Sargassum is believed to be caused by a combination of factors, including climate change, human sewage, fertilisers washed from rivers into the ocean, and dust blowing from Africa's Sahara Desert. The seaweed originates from the Sargasso Sea in the Bermuda Triangle and a new area north of the equator, accumulating off the Brazilian coast before entering the Caribbean Sea. According to researchers, the presence of Sargassum on beaches is an indication of pollution triggered by human activities in the seas and coasts, particularly inadequate treatment of sewage water and agricultural runoff.

To combat the seaweed problem, Caribbean countries have employed various strategies. Hotel chains and restaurants have created task forces of island workers to try and keep their beaches clean. Additionally, some countries have invested in floating barriers, giant pumps, and nets to catch the Sargassum before it reaches the shore. The government of Belize, for example, has teamed up with local hoteliers and islanders to create a task force to tackle the issue, and has also considered installing barriers in the ocean to collect the seaweed before it reaches the shore.

While the seaweed season in the Caribbean is unpredictable and there may be days without any seaweed at all, the region is constantly seeking new ways to manage this ongoing issue and minimise its impact on the environment, tourism, and local communities.

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