Belize's Sargassum Crisis: Impact And Solutions

Sargassum is a free-floating seaweed-like algae that has been a problem throughout the Caribbean since 2015. In large quantities, it becomes problematic. It clogs shorelines and washes up on beaches, turning the water opaque brown.

In Belize, the seaweed issue is worse in some places than others. The southern region, including Hopkins and Placencia, has been hit hard. Ambergris Caye, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, has a moderate seaweed problem on its east side, but the west is seaweed-free. Caye Caulker, which is south of Ambergris Caye, has less of an issue with seaweed.

The seaweed tends to appear more in the summer and subsides in the winter when the oceans are cooler.

The Belize government has teamed up with local hoteliers and islanders to create a task force to combat the problem. They are developing a team of workers with rakes, wheelbarrows, and ATVs to collect the seaweed out of the water and off the beaches.

The smell of sargassum is like a sulphuric rotten egg

The smell of sargassum is often likened to that of sulphuric rotten eggs. This is due to the release of hydrogen sulfide, a gas produced when sargassum seaweed decomposes. While sargassum is typically found floating in the Sargasso Sea, large amounts of it have been washing up on the beaches of Belize in recent years, creating a strong and unpleasant odour.

The stench of sargassum is not just a nuisance to locals and tourists; it also poses potential health risks. As sargassum breaks down, it emits hydrogen sulfide gas, which has a pungent rotten egg smell. Inhaling this gas can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and neurocognitive symptoms. In 2018, there were 11,000 cases of suspected poisoning reported in Guadeloupe and Martinique, where patients experienced heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, vertigo, headaches, and skin rashes.

The Mexican Navy has been tasked with dealing with the sargassum problem in the Yucatan Peninsula, and various solutions are being explored, including using it for animal feed, bioplastics, and building materials. However, these solutions require time and resources, which are scarce in countries heavily impacted by the pandemic.

In Belize, the issue of sargassum is being addressed through manual labour and the use of light machinery to remove the seaweed from the water and clean the beaches. Additionally, the country has implemented initiatives such as tax relief for coastal hotels and duty exemptions for tourism businesses importing equipment for sargassum clean-up.

The Belize Tourism Board, along with other organisations, is also working to educate locals and tourists about sargassum and promote best practices for its containment, collection, and disposal. While there is no easy solution to the sargassum problem, the community and beach crews in Belize are committed to finding long-lasting solutions and ensuring the country's beautiful beaches remain a draw for visitors from around the world.

It can ruin beach experiences by clogging shorelines and turning the water opaque brown

Sargassum, a type of brown seaweed, can ruin beach experiences in Belize by clogging shorelines and turning the water opaque brown.

Sargassum is a free-floating seaweed-like algae that grows and propagates on the water's surface using little air-filled "berries" for buoyancy. While it is beneficial in small amounts, providing a floating nursery for marine life, large quantities can be problematic. It can wash up on beaches in hundreds of tons, decomposing and clogging shorelines. This can ruin beach experiences as it turns the water opaque brown and gives off a strong, unpleasant rotten egg smell. The seaweed can also attract bugs and kill local fish along the shore.

In Belize, the impact of sargassum varies depending on location. The eastern side of land masses tends to be more affected, so the mainland of Belize can experience more sargassum. On the islands, the east side is usually impacted, while the west side remains seaweed-free. For example, Ambergris Caye, a popular tourist destination, has a moderate seaweed problem on its east side, but the west side is unaffected.

The southern region of Belize, including Hopkins and Placencia, has been hit hard by sargassum. However, other areas, such as Caye Caulker, located south of Ambergris Caye, have less of an issue with seaweed. While there was some seaweed on the east side of Caye Caulker, there was no smell, and the beach remained enjoyable for walking.

The timing of sargassum season also affects its impact. It tends to appear more in the summer months when ocean temperatures are higher and subside in the winter when the oceans are cooler.

To combat the issue, the Belize government has teamed up with local hoteliers and islanders to form a task force. They employ workers with rakes, wheelbarrows, and ATVs to collect the seaweed from the water and beaches, and it is then taken away by dump trucks to landfill areas. Some resorts and hotels have their own dedicated teams for sargassum removal, ensuring their beaches remain clean and enjoyable for guests.

While sargassum can be a nuisance for beachgoers, it is an important habitat and food source for marine life. It is also being explored as a potential resource, with businesses looking into using it for animal feed, bioplastics, building materials, and cosmetic products.

It's a floating nursery for marine life

Sargassum is a genus of large brown seaweed (a type of algae) that floats in island-like masses and never attaches to the seafloor. It is integral to the homes of marine life, providing a floating nursery for many species.

Smaller fish, such as filefishes and triggerfishes, reside in and among the brown sargassum. It also provides a primary nursery area for a variety of commercially important fish, such as mahi-mahi, jacks, and amberjacks. The seaweed is a critical habitat and feeding ground for sea life of all sizes, acting as a nursery for juvenile sea turtles, eels, and fish, and a feeding area for migrating tuna and humpback whales.

Sargassum is abundant in the ocean and can be found in floating clumps, patches, large rafts, and weedlines in the upper parts of the water column. These rafts can stretch for miles across the ocean, providing a floating habitat that can offer food, refuge, and breeding grounds for an array of animals, including fish, sea turtles, marine birds, crabs, shrimp, and more. Some animals, like the sargassum fish, live their whole lives only in this habitat.

While sargassum is beneficial in modest quantities, in large quantities, it can become problematic. Since 2014, the Caribbean has been experiencing record blooms of sargassum, with masses so large that they are now tracked by global satellites. This influx of seaweed has negatively impacted the fishing and tourism industries in Belize and other affected regions, as it clogs shorelines, washes up on beaches, and affects the health of locals and tourists.

It's caused by rising ocean temperatures

Sargassum is a genus of large brown seaweed (a type of algae) that floats in island-like masses and never attaches to the seafloor. It is abundant in the ocean and is widely known for its planktonic (free-floating) species.

The Sargasso Sea, a region in the North Atlantic, was named after the algae as it hosts a large amount of Sargassum. The Sargassum in this region acts as a habitat for many species, including sea turtles, marine birds, crabs, shrimp, and more.

However, in recent years, Sargassum has been washing up on the shores of Belize and other Caribbean countries in unprecedented quantities, causing a range of problems. This has been attributed to rising ocean temperatures and increased nutrient output from rivers like the Amazon, which provide favourable conditions for the growth of Sargassum.

Rising Ocean Temperatures Create Favourable Conditions for Sargassum Growth:

Increased ocean temperatures, in combination with other factors like nutrient runoff and upwelling, create favourable conditions for the growth of Sargassum. Warmer waters can stimulate the growth of Sargassum, leading to increased biomass production.

Sargassum Proliferation Due to Changes in Ocean Currents:

Rising ocean temperatures can also influence ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream and the major Atlantic currents, which bound the Sargasso Sea. Changes in these currents can transport Sargassum from its typical location in the Sargasso Sea to other regions, including the Caribbean and the coasts of Belize.

Impact on the Tourism Industry:

The influx of Sargassum along the Belizean coastline has had a significant impact on the country's tourism industry, which is a driving force in the economy. Sargassum decomposes on beaches, releasing a strong odour and creating an unpleasant environment for tourists. It also affects the water quality, making it difficult for tourists to swim or engage in water activities.

Ecological Impacts:

The decomposition of large quantities of Sargassum can create oxygen-depleted zones along the coastline, leading to fish kills. Additionally, the decomposition process produces hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S), which can have negative health impacts on humans.

Long-Term Solutions:

While short-term solutions, such as manual removal of Sargassum, are being implemented, long-term solutions are needed to address the root cause of the problem. This includes finding ways to reduce the impact of rising ocean temperatures and nutrient runoff on Sargassum proliferation.

It's tackled with rakes, wheelbarrows, ATVs, pitchforks, and bulldozers

The sargassum problem in Belize is tackled with rakes, wheelbarrows, ATVs, pitchforks, and bulldozers. In San Pedro, dozens of workers with rakes, pitchforks, wheelbarrows, and ATVs work to remove the sargassum from the water. The piles are then carted away or loaded by backhoe into dump trucks and brought to landfill areas.

The clean-up process is physically demanding and comes with its own set of challenges. Constant raking, digging, and bulldozing can remove precious sand and leave the beaches vulnerable to erosion, especially during the storm season.

To address this issue, the San Pedro Mayor, Wally Nunez, is working on finding a more permanent solution, such as barriers to protect the shoreline and the tourism industry. Additionally, the Alaia Resort employs up to 30 men per day to proactively manage the sargassum.

In Belize, the clean-up efforts are not limited to manual labour and light machinery. In some cases, bulldozers and backhoes are used when the amount of sargassum is overwhelming, as it can be more effective in removing large quantities. However, the use of heavy machinery can also contribute to beach erosion by removing large amounts of sand along with the sargassum.

The sargassum problem is not unique to Belize, and other countries in the Caribbean, South America, and the US are also affected. Mexico, for example, has deployed its Navy to tackle the issue, and the University of South Florida is monitoring the situation through its Optical Oceanography Lab.

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