Record Seaweed Levels Are Hitting Caribbean Beaches

June 5, 2026 - 15:38

Sargassum seaweed is piling up on beaches across the Caribbean in record-breaking amounts this summer, creating a foul-smelling crisis for local tourism and marine life. New data released Monday by the University of South Florida reveals that the volume of the brown algae in the region has hit an all-time high, surpassing previous records set just last year.

The massive bloom, which stretches for miles across the Atlantic, is driven by a combination of nutrient runoff from agriculture and unusually warm ocean temperatures. As the seaweed washes ashore, it rots quickly, releasing hydrogen sulfide gas that smells like rotten eggs. This has forced several popular resort destinations to close sections of their beaches or deploy heavy machinery to clear the sand.

Local officials are scrambling to manage the influx, which threatens the peak summer travel season. Environmental groups warn that the thick mats of sargassum can also smother coral reefs and sea turtle nesting sites. While the seaweed is a natural part of the ocean ecosystem, scientists say these extreme blooms are becoming more frequent and intense, likely linked to climate change and deforestation along major river basins. For now, residents and visitors alike are left dealing with the stench and the sight of brown waves rolling in.