Large mats of sargassum seaweed are as soon as once more floating in direction of the Caribbean, with the primary indicators showing alongside main coastlines in early January – weeks forward of typical seasonal traits.
The primary Predictions for 2026 launched by the The University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Laboratory warn about one probably necessary flowering yrwith preliminary satellite tv for pc information exhibiting above-average sargassum concentrations within the central Atlantic Ocean, a recognized precursor to massive inflows within the Caribbean Sea.
“We observe early accumulations, particularly alongside the east coast of Barbados, Dominica and components of the French Antilles,” stated dr. Mengqiu Wang, a USF workforce oceanographer who’s monitoring the bloom via satellite tv for pc photographs. “Transport patterns from the central Atlantic level to elevated arrivals within the first quarter of 2026.”
Stories from Tulum and different components of the Mexican Caribbean
Guests to Tulum have already posted pictures of arrivals with tall sargassums in our Touring Life-style FB Group: Mexico Sargassum seaweed updates (Cancun, PDC, Tulum, etc.)
One other traveler posted a photograph of the early arrival of sargasum within the Dominican Republic on January 8 on Bavaro seaside.
2026 might mirror file years
Though it’s nonetheless early within the season, ocean scientists are warning concerning the present traits resemble heavy sargassum bloom years similar to 2018 and 2022when tons of brown macroalgae flooded seashores from Mexico to Martinique.
In keeping with the newest bulletin of the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS), Sea floor temperatures stay hotter than regularwhich supplies superb situations for the expansion and drift of sargassum. These heat waters, mixed with the availability of vitamins from upwelling and river discharge in West Africa, contribute to the explosive growth of algae within the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
Tourism and fishing on alert
Native governments and tourism stakeholders are already alert. In Barbados, cleanup crews have been deployed forward of the standard peak season in March to cope with new sargassum arrivals. In the meantime, fishermen in Saint Lucia are reporting issue navigating the mats close to conventional fishing grounds.
“We needed to minimize via the sargassum to get to our traps,” stated Levi Joseph, a fisherman from Vieux Fort. “It is not thick but, however it’s worrying this early within the yr.”
By 2022, cleanup prices throughout the area have been within the tens of millions, and marine habitats suffered from oxygen depletion brought on by decomposing sargassum. A Report of the United Nations Atmosphere Program (UNEP). highlighted how persistent sargassum blooms have disrupted ecosystems, economies and human well being.
Specialists concern comparable patterns might emerge if the 2026 season continues on its present trajectory.
Outlook stays cautious
Whereas scientists emphasize that the The complete extent of the 2026 bloom stays unsureEarly indicators present that Caribbean nations might have to organize for a longer-than-average sargassum season. Mitigation methods, together with mechanical elimination, maritime limitations and offshore harvesting initiatives, are being reevaluated throughout the area.
Supervisory our bodies, together with NOAAare anticipated to launch up to date forecasts in February, which can present a clearer image of anticipated spring and summer time landings.
“This can be a regional problem that requires continued collaboration and adaptive administration,” stated Dr. Wang. “However these kind of early warnings are essential to provide communities time to organize.”