Sun, Sea and Sargassum

Taken on the shore at the Maracas Bay Fishing Village, this photo showcases both the beauty and challenges of coastal life. Visitors come for the sun, sea, sand and relaxing scenery. Coastal communities immensely benefit from the income generated through fishing and tourism. However, within the last decade, the Caribbean has seen a surge in Sargassum quantities, evolving from a rare seasonal event into a persistent crisis. Once pristine beaches, can quickly become covered with foul smelling Sargassum mats, repelling beachgoers and tourists. Sargassum also disrupts fishing activities as the seaweed can become caught in nets, lines, and boat propellers.

While there may be some positive uses of Sargassum, it remains a direct challenge to the identity, economy and resilience of Coastal communities and requires mitigation strategies to protect livelihoods and ecosystems.