By: Staff Writer
July 4, 2025
Sargassum seaweed has made its all the way up as far as Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and is leaving a foul stench for miles.
A historic record in the accumulation of sargassum in the Caribbean Sea, the western and eastern Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico has raised alarms in the region and is directly affecting several coastal areas, including regions in Cuba.
Typically, sargassum has primarily only been spotted in the southeastern part of the Caribbean sea, notably around Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines. However, this summer, sargassum has been seen as far north as Cuba and as far west as the Gulf of Mexico.
Sargassum, a type of seaweed, is significantly impacting the Caribbean, including Cuba, with large blooms washing ashore and causing concerns for tourism, fishing, and public health. The seaweed originates from the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt and is transported westward by ocean currents into the Caribbean Sea. The accumulation of sargassum can lead to unpleasant odors, degraded air quality, and potential harm to marine life and human health due to the release of toxic gases.
Some have tried to make the best of the sargassum. Joshua Forte, founder and CEO of Red Diamond in Barbados, a company that transforms sargassum, told Caribbean Magazine Plus back in 2022 that there is a huge opportunity to transform sargassum into biofuels.
In the insular Caribbean, hotels have shouldered the expense of cleaning efforts, while places like the Dominican Republic have erected barriers to curb the spread of the algae. The ecological impact is significant: sargassum blocks sunlight, suffocates coral reefs and seagrass beds, and upon reaching the shore, it kills the organisms it carries. It also releases toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which pose health risks to humans.
But as it stands now, sargassum is a problem for Cuba. Reported foul odors caused by the decomposition of algae, respiratory issues among residents, deaths of fish and other species, and corrosion of metal structures and household items.
“This natural phenomenon suffocates marine ecosystems, drives away tourism, and jeopardizes local fishing,” warned local journalist Miguel Noticias.