Sargassum seaweed has increased approximately 27 times along Caribbean coasts since the 2011 rupture of the Sargasso Sea [1, 4].

This surge creates an environmental and economic crisis for coastal regions, including Quintana Roo in Mexico. The seaweed blankets beaches, disrupts marine ecosystems, and impacts the tourism industry that many Caribbean nations rely upon for economic stability.

Alicia Bárcena said an average of 40,000 tons of sargassum arrive at the coast every day [2]. This massive influx is part of a larger phenomenon known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, which stretches across 5,499 miles [3].

Scientists attribute the growth to the massive discharge of phosphates and nitrates into the ocean [1]. These chemicals originate from agricultural activities in Africa and South America, where they act as fertilizers that accelerate the growth of the seaweed.

The current 2026 season continues the trend of increasing volume and frequency. The seaweed travels from the open ocean to the shores, creating a logistical challenge for local governments attempting to clear the beaches.

Bárcena said, "En promedio llegan 40 mil toneladas de sargazo al día" [2].

Efforts to manage the sargassum involve both mechanical removal and attempts to intercept the seaweed before it reaches the shoreline. However, the scale of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt makes containment difficult.

“Sargassum seaweed has increased approximately 27 times along Caribbean coasts since 2011.”

The exponential growth of sargassum illustrates the direct link between inland agricultural practices and oceanic health. As runoff from two continents fuels the seaweed's expansion, the Caribbean faces a systemic environmental challenge that transcends local governance, requiring international cooperation to address the nutrient pollution at its source.