By Zoila Palma: Large amounts of sargassum are continuing to move closer to Belize City, with videos sent to us this morning showing dead fish among the seaweed buildup near the Haulover Bridge area.
The accumulation of sargassum is raising concerns among residents and fishermen as decomposing seaweed can reduce oxygen levels in the water and affect aquatic life and marine ecosystems.
Sargassum is a type of floating brown seaweed that naturally drifts across the Atlantic Ocean in large mats. While it provides important habitat for some marine species in open waters, massive accumulations along coastlines can create environmental challenges as the seaweed begins to decompose.
As sargassum breaks down, bacteria consume oxygen in the water, creating low-oxygen conditions that can be harmful or even fatal to fish and other marine animals.
Thick layers of decomposing seaweed can also trap marine animals, block sunlight needed for underwater ecosystems, and release gases that affect water quality.
The post Fish deaths reported as Sargassum reaches Belize City appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Large amounts of sargassum are continuing to move closer to Belize City, with videos sent to us this morning showing dead fish among the seaweed buildup near the Haulover Bridge area. The accumulation of sargassum is raising concerns among residents and fishermen as decomposing seaweed can reduce oxygen levels in the water
The post Fish deaths reported as Sargassum reaches Belize City appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
