By Zoila Palma: A large surge of sargassum seaweed is moving toward Caribbean and Florida beaches, raising concerns ahead of the 2026 spring break season.
An estimated 9.5 million tons of the algae is currently spread across the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, with significant accumulations already reported in parts of the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Florida Keys.
According to tracking data from the University of South Florida, January 2026 recorded a near-unprecedented volume of sargassum, with most regions reaching record-high levels for that time of year.
Researchers noted that continued growth from November through January suggests that 2026 is likely to be another major year for sargassum blooms.
The thick, brown mats of floating seaweed have already begun washing ashore in several areas, including sections of the western Caribbean including Belize, Honduras, and Mexico’s Caribbean coastline.
The algae produces a strong odor often compared to rotten eggs and can blanket beaches and coastal waters, posing challenges for tourism and local communities.
The post International News: Massive Sargassum surge threatens Caribbean beaches appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: A large surge of sargassum seaweed is moving toward Caribbean and Florida beaches, raising concerns ahead of the 2026 spring break season. An estimated 9.5 million tons of the algae is currently spread across the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico, with significant accumulations already reported in parts of the Caribbean, Mexico,
The post International News: Massive Sargassum surge threatens Caribbean beaches appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
