Belize's Sargasso Season: When And Why

Sargassum, also known as sargasso, is a type of brown algae that sometimes washes up on the shores of Belize. While there is no defined seaweed season in Belize, sargassum tends to affect the country's coastlines during the summer months. The exact timing and severity of sargassum vary from year to year, influenced by factors such as wind patterns and ocean currents.

In recent years, Belize has faced significant challenges due to the increasing amounts of sargassum washing ashore. This has impacted the country's tourism industry, as beachfront hotels and restaurants bear the brunt of dealing with the unsightly and malodorous seaweed. Despite these challenges, Belize has implemented proactive measures to mitigate the impact of sargassum, including tax relief for coastal hotels and the formation of a Sargassum Task Force to develop strategies for effective management and disposal.

Sargassum's impact on Belize's tourism industry

Belize is a popular tourist destination, renowned for its vibrant marine life, beautiful beaches, and the warm hospitality of its people. However, in recent years, the country has faced a significant challenge in the form of Sargassum, a type of brown algae that has been washing up on its shores. While Sargassum is integral to the homes of marine life, its presence on beaches has had a detrimental impact on Belize's tourism industry, which is a major source of income for the country.

The piles of Sargassum released a putrid odour of rotten eggs as they decomposed, creating an unpleasant environment for tourists. The sight and smell of the seaweed deterred visitors, who did not want to be near it, and made swimming in the sea impossible, as people would get caught in the clumps of seaweed. This led to a decrease in tourism, with many people cancelling or cutting short their trips to Belize. As a result, beachside hotels and restaurants, which relied heavily on tourism, faced significant losses.

In response to this crisis, the Belizean government implemented several measures to mitigate the impact of Sargassum. They provided tax relief to coastal hotels and duty exemptions for businesses importing equipment and technology to support clean-up efforts. Additionally, they allocated funds for beach clean-up efforts and formed the Sargassum Task Force to develop strategies for managing the seaweed. Local communities and tourism providers also played a crucial role in combating the issue, with many adopting recommended practices for the containment, collection, and disposal of Sargassum.

Despite these efforts, the influx of Sargassum continued to pose challenges for Belize's tourism industry. The removal and disposal of the seaweed incurred high costs, and the accumulation on beaches remained an eyesore for visitors. The situation was further complicated by the unpredictable nature of Sargassum, making it difficult to foresee when and where it would appear.

To adapt to this new reality, businesses in the tourism sector were encouraged to develop comprehensive business continuity plans. These plans included strategies for alternative revenue streams, diversification of offerings, and contingency measures for resource allocation and staffing during Sargassum peaks. By being proactive and offering alternative experiences such as wellness programs, eco-tourism activities, and cultural events, businesses could minimise the negative impact on their operations and maintain a certain level of service quality.

While Sargassum continued to be a challenge for Belize, the collaborative efforts of the government, local communities, and businesses helped to mitigate its impact on the tourism industry. Through early detection, swift removal initiatives, and the development of sustainable practices, Belize worked to preserve the country's appeal as a tropical getaway.

Sargassum's origin and proliferation

Sargassum is a genus of brown macroalgae (seaweed) that floats in island-like masses and never attaches to the seafloor. It is a type of free-floating planktonic algae that is distributed throughout the temperate and tropical oceans of the world. It is an important seaweed that is excessively distributed in tropical and subtropical regions.

The origin of the seaweed is a topic of speculation. In 2011, when Sargassum first washed up on the shores of Caribbean countries, many believed it derived from the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, which was itself named after the algae. However, this theory has been questioned, as satellite imagery in 2015 showed Sargassum blooming off the coast of Brazil, stretching all the way to Africa and back, pushed by currents into the Caribbean.

The proliferation of Sargassum is attributed to a combination of factors, including increased fertiliser runoff in major rivers such as the Amazon and Congo, nutrient enrichment, increased water temperature, and changes in climatological patterns. The size of annual blooms in the Atlantic increased by over a hundred-fold starting in 2011. Since then, increasingly stronger inundation events have occurred every 2-3 years, with the biomass doubling from December 2022 to January 2023.

Sargassum provides vital nutrients such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus to coastal ecosystems and decreases coastal erosion. However, its decomposition on beaches produces a strong odour and can be harmful to human health, creating oxygen-depleted zones that result in fish kills and releasing hydrogen sulfide gas, which has caused health issues in residents of the Caribbean.

The National Meteorological Service of Belize's role

The National Meteorological Service of Belize (NMS) plays a crucial role in monitoring and forecasting weather conditions, including the impact of Sargasso or sargassum, the seaweed that has become a challenge for the country in recent years.

The NMS is responsible for providing timely and accurate weather forecasts to the public, mariners, and air traffic control to ensure safety and efficiency. They issue general weather forecasts three times daily, covering expected conditions such as wind speed and direction, air temperature, astronomical conditions, advisories, and warnings. Additionally, the Marine Forecast is issued twice daily, providing mariners with essential information for safe travel over offshore areas.

In the context of Sargasso season, the NMS has a vital role in understanding and predicting the movement of this seaweed. For instance, in 2023, the NMS attributed the presence of Sargasso on the shores of Ambergris Caye to a moderate easterly airflow, blowing the seaweed towards the shore. The NMS also collaborates with other organisations, such as the Sargassum Task Force, to develop local forecasting mechanisms and support weekly and daily Sargassum forecasts.

The NMS also plays a critical role in managing risks and reducing disasters in climate-sensitive sectors. Through its Climate Database System 'SURFACE' CDMS, the NMS monitors climate trends in rainfall, temperature, heatwaves, and other extremes. This data is essential for long-term planning and protecting life and property. The NMS's overall goal is to contribute to the social, economic, and physical well-being of Belize's citizens by providing meteorological and climate-based products and services.

Furthermore, the NMS provides specialised agricultural services to support the agriculture value chain. They assist farmers, food producers, and government agencies in managing and planning for plant and animal health and safety risks through early warning and hazard alerts. By providing outlooks on expected rainfall and temperature, the NMS helps authorities prepare for and respond to emergencies that can significantly impact Belizean society.

Sargassum removal and disposal methods

While there is no "seaweed season" in Belize, the country does experience the phenomenon of Sargassum, which can impact its coastline and tourism industry. Sargassum is a type of brown algae that floats in sometimes mile-long clumps and has an unpleasant "rotten egg" stench when washed on the beach. It is essential to the homes of marine life, but in recent years, it has invaded the shores of Belize, causing issues for the country's tourism and economy.

To combat this issue, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has implemented several measures, including tax relief for coastal hotels and duty exemptions for importing equipment and technology to support Sargassum clean-up efforts. The BTB has also provided financial assistance to municipalities for beach clean-ups and formed the Sargassum Task Force (STF) to develop forecasting systems and best practices for Sargassum management.

Onshore Pumping Systems

Onshore pumping systems use pumps to remove seaweed from the sea and are positioned on the beach. The collected seaweed is then taken to an ocean or land landfill for disposal. While onshore systems are cost-effective, they may not be able to pump large volumes of Sargassum at once.

Offshore Pumping Systems

Offshore pumping systems are placed in the ocean and use pumps to collect Sargassum from the water surface. Once the algae are loaded into a barge or other floating vessel, it is taken to a landfill for disposal. Offshore systems have higher operational costs than onshore systems but can handle larger volumes of Sargassum removal.

Manual Removal

Manual removal of Sargassum involves using volunteers or paid workers to remove the seaweed from the beach and collect it for disposal. This method is labour-intensive and may not be suitable for large-scale removal but can be effective for smaller areas or in combination with other methods.

Heavy Machinery

Heavy machinery, such as excavators, loaders, or beach cleaning machines, can be used to remove and collect Sargassum from beaches. However, this method can contribute to beach erosion and damage the ecosystem if not done carefully. It is important to minimise sand displacement and removal during the process.

Floating Barriers or Booms

Floating barriers or booms are installed in the water offshore to deflect Sargassum mats and restrict them from reaching the beach or coastline. This method has been used with mixed results and may not be practical for all areas. It is important to note that commercial harvest of Sargassum in federal waters beyond 3 miles is prohibited in some regions, such as the South Atlantic region of the eastern U.S.

Best Practices for Removal and Disposal

Regardless of the method chosen, there are some general best practices to consider for the removal and disposal of Sargassum:

• Remove Sargassum from the water as soon as possible to prevent it from accumulating and decomposing on the beach.
• Minimise the removal of sand and native vegetation during the collection process.
• Avoid the use of chemicals.
• Monitor air quality in disposal areas to assess exposure to harmful gases released during Sargassum decomposition, such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia.
• Test disposal areas, especially unlined landfills located on karst substrates, for metals, pesticides, or other pollutants that may contaminate groundwater.
• Wash Sargassum prior to disposal if soil degradation and vegetation damage from salt are a concern in the disposal area.

Sargassum's health effects

While there is no specific "seaweed season" in Belize, the country is affected by sargassum, a type of brown algae that floats in sometimes mile-long clumps and emits a strong "rotten egg" smell when it washes up on the beach and starts to decompose. This can occur throughout the year, and there is no way to predict when or how often it will appear.

The health effects of sargassum are primarily related to the gases it emits during decomposition, including hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and ammonia. These gases can cause a range of respiratory, skin, and neurocognitive symptoms in people who come into close contact with decomposing sargassum. In 2018, there were 11,000 cases of suspected poisoning reported in Guadeloupe and Martinique, with patients experiencing symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, vertigo, headaches, and skin rashes.

When dried, sargassum can also emit hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, leading to severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, respiratory difficulties, and vertigo. Additionally, the accumulation of sargassum can negatively impact the marine ecosystem, causing the death of certain species and damaging coral reefs.

To minimise health risks, it is recommended to avoid areas covered with sargassum, especially if a rotten egg smell is present. Boaters should also follow forecasts to avoid navigating through dense sargassum patches. If exposure occurs and any health symptoms develop, it is advised to seek medical attention.

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