The Seaweed Conundrum: Unraveling Belize's Complex Relationship With This Marine Plant

Belize has been facing a seaweed problem since 2015, with the brown algae known as sargassum washing up on its beaches and causing a strong odour as it rots. The seaweed typically affects the eastern side of land masses, with varying levels of severity depending on location. In March 2022, there was a notable increase in seaweed near Belize, particularly in the southern part of the country, including Hopkins and Placencia. The issue has been attributed to rising ocean temperatures and climate change, and it has become a significant concern for the country's tourism industry, as visitors seek pristine beaches and clear waters. To combat the problem, the Belizean government has implemented initiatives such as tax relief for affected coastal hotels and the formation of a Sargassum Task Force to develop forecasting systems and best practices for management.

Sargassum seaweed's impact on Belize's tourism industry

Sargassum Seaweeds Impact on Belize's Tourism Industry

Belize has been facing a seaweed problem since 2015, with tons of foul-smelling Sargassum seaweed washing up on its beaches and threatening its vital tourism industry. The seaweed creates a sewage-like stench as it rots on the shore and can cover miles of beach, ruining the tropical vacation experience for visitors. The issue is particularly bad in the southern part of the country, including popular tourist destinations such as Hopkins and Placencia.

The influx of Sargassum seaweed is not unique to Belize, with other Caribbean countries also experiencing similar problems. The seaweed provides shelter and food for marine animals in the ocean, but as it washes ashore, it can smother ecological habitats and begin to rot, becoming harmful to humans. The exact cause of the sudden proliferation of Sargassum is still unknown, but scientists suspect it is related to climate change and pollution triggered by human activities in the seas and on coasts.

The impact of Sargassum on Belize's tourism industry is significant. Tourism is a driving force in the country's economy, and beachside hotels and restaurants are the primary establishments facing the threat of Sargassum head-on. Many travellers have cancelled their plans or chosen alternative destinations due to concerns about the seaweed, affecting the country's income from tourism. The seaweed also makes it difficult for tourists to swim in the sea and enjoy the beaches, which are Belize's main attractions.

In response to the Sargassum problem, the Belizean government has implemented several measures to mitigate its impact on the tourism industry. These include tax relief for affected coastal hotels, duty exemptions for tourism businesses importing equipment to support cleaning efforts, and financial support for municipalities in beach clean-up efforts. A Sargassum Task Force has also been established, comprising various government ministries, private and public sector stakeholders, and local government representatives from affected areas.

Despite these efforts, the constant removal and disposal of Sargassum remain challenging and costly. The process requires manual labour and light machinery to minimise sand removal and protect marine life, and the seaweed's unpleasant odour makes it a nasty job for workers, especially in the Caribbean heat.

While complete mitigation of the Sargassum problem may no longer be possible, the government of Belize is exploring more permanent solutions, such as collecting the seaweed before it reaches the shore by installing barriers in the ocean. There are also initiatives to turn the seaweed into animal feed, building materials, and bioplastics, and even diesel fuel replacements through a public-private partnership with a German company.

The origin of the seaweed

The proliferation of sargassum in the Caribbean Sea remains a mystery, with scientists still researching to pinpoint the exact source. One theory suggests that it originates from a new area north of the equator, accumulating off the Brazilian coast before entering the Caribbean. This rapid growth has been attributed to the irregular and inadequate treatment of sewage water and agricultural runoff rich in fertiliser.

The impact of sargassum on the Caribbean region has been significant, affecting tourism, the fishing industry, and human health. With masses of the seaweed washing up on pristine beaches, the economic consequences have been dire, especially in countries like Belize that heavily rely on tourism. The removal process is challenging, often requiring manual labour and light machinery to minimise damage to the beach and marine life.

While the origin of the seaweed may not be fully understood, the Caribbean countries are not passive in the face of this challenge. Belize, for instance, has implemented projects to assist affected properties and mitigate the impact on its tourism industry. Additionally, there are efforts to convert the collected sargassum into valuable resources, such as biofuel, animal feed, building materials, and bioplastics.

Efforts to combat the seaweed problem

The seaweed problem in Belize, also known as the Sargassum problem, has been an issue since 2015, with the first appearance of the seaweed on the country's shores recorded in 2011. The government of Belize has implemented various measures to tackle the problem, including:

• Task forces: The government has teamed up with local hoteliers and islanders to form task forces to combat the seaweed influx. These task forces consist of workers with rakes, wheelbarrows, and ATVs to collect the seaweed from the water and beaches.
• Collaboration with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB): The San Pedro Town Council is working with the BTB to mitigate the seaweed problem. The BTB has also put together a Sargassum Task Force (STF) comprising various government ministries, departments, and stakeholders from the private and public sectors.
• Financial support: Belize provided a 2% tax relief credit to coastal hotels from the 9% hotel tax in 2018-2019. The STF also lobbied for a duty exemption facility for tourism businesses importing equipment, materials, or technology for sargassum cleaning efforts. Additionally, the BTB allocated $1.5 million to support municipalities in beach clean-up efforts.
• Forecasting and monitoring: Belize has developed a local forecasting mechanism, in collaboration with the Meteorological Service, to provide weekly and daily Sargassum forecasts. The forecasting system aims to improve accuracy with support from regional Satellite Models, such as the SAWs Model and the European Model.
• Awareness campaigns: Social media campaigns have been launched to inform tourists and stakeholders about the issue and best practices for disposing of Sargassum.
• Best practices for containment, collection, and disposal: The installation of booms or barriers to deflect and contain the seaweed is being considered. The STF recommends seeking guidance from the Department of Environment and Belize Port Authority before installing such equipment. Manual labour and light machinery are preferred over heavy machinery to minimise damage to the beach and marine life.
• Health recommendations: Guidelines have been provided for tourists and locals, recommending they refrain from direct and prolonged contact with Sargassum and avoid swimming in affected areas. If health symptoms such as difficulty breathing, skin rashes, or dizziness occur, individuals are advised to seek medical attention.
• Converting seaweed into biofuel: Belize is developing a pilot project with a German company, Variodin, to convert the seaweed into diesel fuel replacements. The $50 million facility is expected to mitigate the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the seaweed invasion.

The seaweed's impact on human health

The seaweed problem in Belize, also known as the Sargassum, has been a concern for the country's tourism industry. While not extremely harmful to humans, the seaweed does carry a strong ''rotten egg' stench as it decomposes on the beaches, deterring visitors from wanting to be anywhere near it. The seaweed also prevents tourists from swimming in the sea without getting caught up in it.

The seaweed is also harmful to human health in that it can cause difficulty breathing, skin rashes, and dizziness. In fact, the local government has advised that if anyone experiences these symptoms, they should seek medical attention.

The seaweed has also been a problem for hotels and restaurants, with many travel plans derailed or cancelled due to concerns about the algae. This has resulted in a loss of income for the country, as tourism is a driving force for Belize's economy.

To combat this issue, the Belizean government has implemented several measures, including tax relief for coastal hotels, duty exemptions for tourism businesses importing equipment to support cleaning efforts, and financial support for municipalities in beach clean-up. The government has also formed a Sargassum Task Force comprising key stakeholders from both the private and public sectors to address the issue.

The constant removal and disposal of the seaweed, however, have caused sand erosion, requiring new sand to be trucked in. This process takes a lot of hard work and is unpleasant due to the smell and the Caribbean heat.

Some resorts have employed up to 30 people a day to deal with the issue, using rakes, wheelbarrows, and ATVs to collect the seaweed from the water and beaches. The seaweed is then taken away by dump trucks and brought to landfill sites.

Belize is also exploring more permanent solutions, such as installing barriers in the ocean to collect the seaweed before it reaches the shore. Boats can then collect the seaweed from the sea and place it on barges. Another potential solution is to capture the seaweed in the channels of the barrier reef just offshore.

Additionally, Belize is unique in that it has a barrier reef just offshore that the seaweed must cross to reach the land. The reef slows down the seaweed, and the government is exploring the possibility of capturing it in these channels.

Despite the challenges, the seaweed, known as Sargassum, is not all bad. It provides shelter and food for marine animals and contains rich nutrients that can be used for various purposes. Some businesses are turning the seaweed into animal feed, building materials, bioplastics, lotions, hair products, shakes, and jellies. There is also ongoing research into using Sargassum to produce methane for energy.

The economic cost of seaweed removal

The cost of seaweed removal can be divided into several stages: collection, transportation, drying, and disposal. Each of these stages contributes to the overall expense, and the total cost can be substantial.

Collection

The first step in removing seaweed is collecting it from the beach or ocean. This is typically done using bulldozers or specialised machines designed to "harvest" the seaweed. This labour-intensive process can be challenging and often results in sand erosion, further adding to the economic and environmental costs.

Transportation

Seaweed is approximately 80% water, making it heavy and bulky to transport. The transportation stage involves moving the seaweed from the collection site to an area where it can be dried or disposed of. This often requires multiple trips and a large number of trucks, especially if the seaweed is collected directly from the water or beach.

Drying

Drying the seaweed is necessary to reduce its weight and volume before disposal. However, this process can be time-consuming and costly. Natural drying using the sun is the cheapest option but requires a large area and results in a strong odour. Mechanical drying units can speed up the process but consume a lot of energy, making them less economical.

Disposal

The final stage of seaweed removal is disposal. There are several options for disposing of seaweed, each with its own economic implications:

• Landfill: This is the most common method, where seaweed is taken to a landfill, often at a considerable distance, incurring transportation costs.
• Anaerobic digestion: Seaweed can be processed in a waste facility's anaerobic digester to produce syngas, but this method requires consistent year-round quantities and has lower biomethane potential than other feedstocks.
• Pyrolysis: This process requires dried seaweed and a steady supply, making it costly and challenging to implement.
• Composting and reuse: Some entrepreneurs are exploring reusing dried seaweed for food products, fertiliser, and animal feed. However, the market for these products is currently small and cannot accommodate the large volumes of seaweed.

Economic impact on tourism

In addition to the direct costs of seaweed removal, there are also indirect economic impacts, particularly on the tourism industry. The presence of large amounts of seaweed on beaches can deter tourists, leading to lost bookings and negative publicity. This can have long-term effects on the reputation of a destination, impacting its ability to attract visitors.

Case study: Belize

In Belize, the problem of seaweed has become particularly prominent. In March 2022, the San Pedro Town Council announced it would spend around $20,000 annually to rid its beaches of seaweed. This figure only covers the cost of removal and does not account for the economic impact on tourism.

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