A lifeguard at Santa Lucía Beach in Nuevitas, Camagüey, has issued a warning about a massive sargassum pile, measuring over a meter high. Armando León, the lifeguard in question, expressed concerns about the sargassum affecting visibility, making it difficult to spot individuals, especially children, at the shoreline. Speaking on behalf of the lifeguards at the Residencial Hotel, León called for assistance, fearing potential risks if a child were to become entangled in the seaweed unnoticed.
Unprecedented Sargassum Surge
This summer has seen a historic surge in sargassum accumulation across the Caribbean, the western and eastern Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico, setting off alarms across the region and impacting various coastal areas, including parts of Cuba. According to the Optical Oceanography Lab at the University of South Florida, reported by AP, May 2025 saw 38 million metric tons of sargassum, marking the highest recorded level since studies began on the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt in 2011. The previous record stood at 22 million tons in June 2022.
This surge has led to temporary school closures in the French Caribbean, public protests in islands like St. Maarten due to odors and pollution, and special operations using heavy machinery in tourist areas. In the insular Caribbean, hotels have borne the cleanup costs, while places like the Dominican Republic have installed barriers to contain the seaweed.
Environmental and Health Impact
The impact extends beyond tourism, affecting marine ecosystems as well. Sargassum blocks sunlight, suffocating coral reefs and seagrass beds, and upon reaching shores, it kills the organisms it carries. It also emits toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, posing health risks to humans.
Challenges in Cuba
Cuba, particularly the eastern province of Guantánamo, has been severely affected. According to the local newspaper Venceremos, decomposing macroalgae in Baitiquirí Bay emit foul odors, causing headaches and nausea among locals. Authorities have held public hearings and are conducting active investigations in nearby communities.
Iroel Cantillo Cartaya from the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment (CITMA) in San Antonio del Sur attributes the phenomenon to climate change, which has raised sea temperatures and altered ocean currents, promoting the spread of sargassum. Although a decrease is expected by July, CITMA acknowledges the lack of technical resources to remove large concentrations in areas like Baitiquirí.
Partial cleanups are planned for other Guantánamo beaches such as Sabanalamar, El Guanal, Los Siguatos, and Yateritas before summer. Yet, managing sargassum remains a municipal challenge due to the lack of technology for its disposal or utilization. Officials advise against swimming or walking in areas with high seaweed concentration, recommend avoiding direct contact, not consuming fish caught near these areas, and wearing masks as protection against gases.
In Cuba, the Civil Defense has classified sargassum as a potential risk under their Directive 1 for disaster reduction, given its complexity and impact on public health, the local economy, and coastal environments.
Understanding the Sargassum Crisis
What is causing the increase in sargassum in the Caribbean?
The increase in sargassum is linked to climate change, which has raised sea temperatures and altered ocean currents, facilitating the growth and spread of sargassum in the Caribbean and beyond.
How does sargassum affect local communities?
Sargassum affects local communities by emitting foul odors, causing health issues such as headaches and nausea, and impacting tourism and local economies due to its accumulation on beaches.
What measures are being taken in Cuba to manage sargassum?
In Cuba, authorities are planning partial cleanups on affected beaches and have advised the public to avoid areas with high concentrations of sargassum. The Civil Defense has also classified it as a potential risk under their disaster reduction directives.