The Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean coasts are experiencing a record-breaking amount of Sargassum this summer.
Satellite imagery shows huge floating masses of brown seaweed drifting westward from West Africa into the Gulf of Mexico. This region is now known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt.
According to University of South Florida sargassum levels have reached a new record of 38,000,000 metric tons. This has caused disruptions in the region, including beach resorts and many hotels.
Sargassum in large quantities can be seen on satellite images. Red areas show the presence of large amounts. Credit: University of South Florida.
Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are worst affected, as well as Martinique, Guyana and Mexico’s Caribbean coastline.
Some resorts on the beach are trying to protect their guests from the smelly and unsightly seaweed.
Seaweed on beaches is a problem that resorts and tourists are tackling
Hilton Cancun is a 715-room hotel with de
