Sargassum is a scourge for locals and the fear of all tourism professionals. In Martinique, brown and foul-smelling algae are multiplying again on the coast and particularly in Sainte-Anne, as reported by our colleagues from -.
“Approximately 24 million m3 of stranded sargassum were observed last year across the entire coasts of the Atlantic basin,” - also points out. The proliferation of algae is a public health issue for populations who have been living with it for 12 years now. » These algae actually rot after 48 hours, releasing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which are harmful to health.
36 million euros against sargassum
“The gyres present near Guadeloupe as well as the southern current from the Antilles risk bringing a flow of sargassum towards our islands,” notes the forecast bulletin for the stranding of sargassum on Guadeloupe. A very large dense area of sargassum is present in the south of Barbados and could soon be carried north. »
Depending on sea currents, certain areas are therefore spared. It is therefore advisable to find out which beaches are not affected. In 2022, a “Sargassum 2” plan worth 36 million euros over 4 years was released by the French State and Europe to finance concrete actions in the Antilles. But the project is colossal.
The phenomenon does not spare other destinations. Between January and March 2023, some 24 million tonnes of seaweed reached the Dominican coasts, compared to 14 million during the same period the previous year.
“Ten years ago, we saw sargassum three months a year, but today they are there almost all year round from March to November,” explained marine biologist Andrea Valcarcel, head of the country’s ocean laboratory division. .
