Record Sargassum Swamps Caribbean, U.S. Beaches

A record surge of sargassum seaweed, now estimated at up to 39 million tons, has inundated beaches across the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and parts of the southeastern U.S., marking the highest levels since monitoring began in 2011. The seaweed's accumulation is disrupting tourism, smothering wildlife, and causing temporary school closures due to the release of hydrogen sulfide gas, which smells like rotten eggs and poses health risks. Scientists attribute the recurring blooms to factors such as agricultural runoff, warming ocean temperatures, and shifting currents, though the exact causes remain unclear. While sargassum benefits open ocean ecosystems, its arrival on shorelines blocks sunlight, harms coral reefs and seagrasses, and creates unsightly, foul-smelling piles. Local governments and resorts are implementing mitigation strategies, including barriers and emergency cleanups, to protect tourism-dependent economies. Experts warn that the inundation is likely to worsen in June and persist throughout the summer.