Beaches with the highest seaweed count include Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and some points between Cancun and Puerto Morelos. Visible only before sunrise and/or after sunset. Mexicos Ministry of Environment has designated certain areas for research and have provided workshops about the treatment of sargasso and its benefits for production purposes. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. According to the, There are more than 300 different species of sargassum including. Tourist destinations with east-facing beaches, such as Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, encountered massive seaweed piles on their beaches in 2022. Book with Confidence - we want you to be as confident as possible when planning your next vacation. Last updated September 13, 2022. Credit: Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo Cancun. A massive, ever-growing blob of brown seaweed stretching across the Atlantic Ocean could spell trouble for beachgoers again this year as it moves west towards Florida. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. More than a decade after the first inundation event, sargassum is still widely viewed as an environmental nuisance. The current situation on the east coast of Florida is frankly, not the best. MIAMI ( April 22, 2022 ) Sargassum season is in full effect in Miami-Dade County. Unfortunately, the biggest algae bloom in the world is floating off the coast in the Tropical Atlantic and right in the direction of Floridas east coast. Everything You Need to Know! It's also an eyesore. Officials have announced 2.5 km of barriers will be installed this year in the seas off Playa del Carmen to protect its beaches and those at Cancun. The map also shows the phases of the Moon, and all solar and lunar eclipses. The problem is when it comes ashore, it begins to rot and smells like rotten eggs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Published on February 23, 2023. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter or visit our website for the latest news and updates from Miami-Dade County Parks. To date, 9,565 tons have arrived on Mexican seashores. Read more:What You Need to Know about Sargassum Invading the Caribbean. Coronavirus pandemic containment rate is 1%. Playa del Carmen SEAWEED Crisis [2022]: A Detailed Guide!! . From December 4, 2015:Journey Mexico has a large team based right in Cancun, allowing us to have close contact with the hotels and first-hand knowledge of local happenings. Palm Beach vs West Palm Beach for Vacation [2023] :An Honest Comparison to Help You Choose! From August 6: A community clean-up has lead to sargassum-free beaches in Quintana Roo, say Travel Pulse. The Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES), at UWI, Cave Hill Campus, continue to spearhead sargassum research in Barbados. CERMES has been producing a forecast bulletin called the Sargassum Subregional Outlook Bulletin which provides the region with a prediction of the magnitude of sargassum influx events. 2015. The video and photo below are from Coco Beach in Playa del Carmen (January 28 morning). Here is a detailed update from managementabout how they currently view the issue: We are constantly in touch with our closest hotel partners to monitor the situation and have real-time updates about any issues, sargassum and otherwise. It is in environmentally sustainable doses. The continued presence of sargassum seaweed (a.k.a sargasso, sargazo) on the beaches of Mexico continues to be a concern to many travelers. The places in Florida that have been hit the hardest are the beaches from Miami all the way up to Cape Canaveral. However, moving into winter, we are leaving the summers rainy season and therefore anticipate the problem to continue to dissipate. Seaweed is smothering Caribbean coasts from Puerto Rico to Barbados as tons of brown algae kill wildlife, choke the tourism industry and release toxic gases. 2 0 obj Dates and tips on how and where to see "shooting stars" from meteor showers all over the world. When fishing gear becomes entangled or covered with sargassum, fishers must manipulate the gear to remove the sargassum which results in sore muscles. In 2020, the Navy eradicated 4% of the sargassum in the water, but 96% was removed from the beaches. The lowest amounts of sargassum are frequently found on Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, and Othon P. Blanco, with the largest concentrations being found close to the well-known beaches of Solidaridad, Cozumel, and Tulum. In 2020, the Navy eradicated 4% of the sargassum in the water, but 96% was removed from the beaches. Puerto Rico Seaweed Problem 2022: Everything You Need to Know! Sargassum seaweed season in Cancun and around Mexican Caribbean finishes in October. I would like to receive emails from Journey Mexico. The sargassum islands are swept by the Gulf Stream into Miami before they reach our shores of Holbox, only on occasions where the currents change [because of a] storm is when small amounts of sargasso usually arrives at the island. Percentage of shoreline Sargassum Inundation Report Contact Information: NOAA/Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory 4301 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, FL 33149, USA Joaquin.Trinanes@noaa.gov NOAA/Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory 4301 Rickenbacker Causeway Miami, FL 33149, USA Chuanmin Hu USF, College of Marine Science Share this app: Map Beaches Reports Submit a Report 2022, Sargasso Tracker Facebook Everything You Need to Know! Known as Gulfweed or sea holly in Florida, the sargassum originated from the Sargasso Sea which is thought to have started off the coast of South America. More than 24 million tons of sargassum blanketed the Atlantic in June, shattering the all-time record, set in 2018, by 20%, according to the University of South Florida's Optical Oceanography . Uo;r#vM4gY:&g? During turtle nesting season raking operations begin at approximately 7:30 a.m. and end around 11-11:30 a.m. The MMABE, now the Maritime and Blue Economy Division of the Ministry of Environment, National Beautification and the Blue and Green Economy has been primarily involved in implementing the SAMS for Barbados. You may need binoculars. A study from the Quintana Roo Department of Navy (Semar) claims that as of this week, Sargassum seaweed would be less prevalent on the beaches in Cancun. ^-{y:uCxXaG$VOb53yvc7r5>mrGfNLRweIjXiOW{d-''=Q7zr{_Q|V[S3'U_7UuFz1uzw/kZ9Ui':#6H-'OuO}jky00'2&fv`u &9|k]4yU~rZrQGeeK.OvIW@=5Dj.,tjZR$a;=+}]gg"yqz{|#h]?kqtHNcQf9#P>L)K@:?V"wxi4w+=\]&quu=k0Rk6?X|gT *KS~]`CX^rp)1@v%w9Ha-iK?C\w@ Xj],Dhgeqqz18_BuYKYLkR>"~KW9t@9,p6[_ ssZG}}"- H DzdDit'q0i=/A|i??7_5;]Y }"$3p?s"w _LqN}w Even at low concentrations, inhaling this gas can cause eye irritation and breathing difficulties. endobj The National Conservation Commission then transports the sargassum to Farley Hill, St. Peter where the sargassum is allowed to break down and become compost. Fairly close to the Sun. Precipitation. If you happen to have any of these symptoms, its probably best to hit the pool this summer and avoid the beach. Any question, contact us! Banyan Tree Mayakoba: When the seaweed appears, the resorts staff clean the beach daily. If you havent, you may be wondering why seaweed that is supposed to have superior nutrients would be an issue. This will include plans to create a medium- and long-term strategies to stop the seaweed reaching the beaches, according to The Yucatan Times. _AXA/Hktj^b/F~w8z(dT1_Fw6/1_kIhT2ugKnv?oyLu>pD$g)|,` Hx2k=6#m#>!oyE/ tgjAS AS0P)a4YWn/:2jdn+fGq@?k[hc 9>lh#~J1unY{;B~DGgxs J Glh69X6%Y%"~wl9W7[[ znwK$Y.[Wl|;!Gm>]]>6$5?plQ9y*qo@t9 RR;ZV(ZXw@~x_* The arrival of seaweed starts in March and by the end of April, it spreads all over the area. From April 1, 2019: Mexican designers have come up with a unique way to recycle sargassum by transforming it into shoes. The 2022 sargassum season began at the beginning of spring due to a rise in sea temperature, which accelerates the reproduction of the seaweed. Very close to Sun, hard or impossible to see. Outlook of 2022 Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico* December 31, 2022, by University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab (bbarnes4@usf.edu, yuyuan@usf.edu, huc@usf.edu) The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing higher values. <> Some large resorts have invested in a SurfRake for exclusive hoteluse while others have been bought by contractors hired to clean up the beaches. Thetravelmoove is your travel, travel photography, camping website. Sargassum is a naturally occurring seaweed that floats freely on the ocean surface and is abundant in the Atlantic . The Sargasso Sea (/ s r s o /) is a region of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by four currents forming an ocean gyre. Florida Sargassum Seaweed Season 2022 The sargassum is a naturally occurring phenomenon and an annual problem for nearly all Caribbean nations. Primarily made of dust and ice, many have a tail (coma) and are thought to be remnants of the formation of the Solar System. Dr Lapointe also pointed out that he has seen areas of low temperature off the coast of Africa, which could indicate nitrogen is coming from the deep seas. In 2020, the Navy eradicated 4% of the sargassum within the water, however 96% was faraway from the seashores. As it makes it way along these streams, the sargassum picks up more and more nutrients and continues to grow. This is very rare in history, USF oceanography professor Chuanmin Hu told USA Today. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world and focused on placemaking, health and fitness, and conservation and stewardship. From August 20, 2015:A group of technology students from a local university is searching for ways to positively use the masses of unwanted sargasso. Maintaining our beaches remains a priority for Miami-Dade County Parks, recreation and Open Spaces. Myrtle Beach vs Virginia Beach [2023]: An Honest & In-Depth Comparison to Help You Choose? On a smaller scale, residents of some south coast communities have organised independent clean-ups; management of collection led by individual resorts particularly on the south coast, for nearby beaches, https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/tag/sargassum-seaweed/, https://www.nationnews.com/2018/05/03/ncc-working-on-cleaning-sargassum/, https://www.bb.undp.org/content/barbados/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2022/japan-and-undp-support-caribbeans-search-for-a-sargassum-seaweed.html. Nonetheless, based on Ojeda, the stats projected at the moment are a lot larger than on the peak in 2018. The government has deployed a series of measures to fight the issue, especially in Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located and which has a higher number of visitors. Unfortunately, according to the most recent forecasts, 2023 may be another year with high seaweed concentrations. Stockholm County, Sweden Coronavirus cases map tracker - COVID 19 latest stats update in 2022 Last updated: January 6, 2022. The Mexican Navy vessels are currently being tested in Veracruz but should be launched in Cancun. April 9, 2019: The beaches of Holbox are not normally affected by sargassum since they are located very north of the Yucatan Peninsula. According to Rear Admiral Csar Gustavo Ramrez Torralba, Coordinator of the Sargassum Attention Strategy and Secretary of the Navy, Cancun, Riviera Maya region forecasting less Sargassum Seaweed in 2021. As the days get warmer, the presence of sargassum is expected to increase. For the past 11 years, Jamaica and the Caribbean have experienced masses of floating brown algae that often end up inundating beaches. Some are letting nature take its course by leaving the sargassum alone. They are studying to see if itcan be composted and used as fertilizer on farms in local villages. As the mountains of beached seaweed rots, it releases hydrogen sulfide - a gas which has an unpleasant odor similar to rotten eggs. Panama - San Andres (Colombia . However, according to Ojeda, the stats projected today are much higher than at the peak in 2018. xY*q## q.8 J e . Fw;"De(jSziS m*&d$m This seaweed, also known as sargassum, has been a problem throughout the Caribbean and Florida for at least the last 7 years. In April 2022, the overall Sargassum amount increased significantly across the tropical Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea (CS), the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), and the Central West Atlantic (CWA, i.e., the region east of the Lesser Antilles in the maps below), setting a . Answer 1 of 10: We are looking to spend a week (June 1-8) in Punta Cana, and are specifically looking at either the Secrets Cap Cana or Dreams Punta Cana but are concerned about the sargassum/seaweed conditions currently. Average weather in May 2022. Like other Caribbean states, Barbados uses this bulletin to assist in preparing for possible sargassum inundations. News & World Report' Are Southern Cities. How large are the planets and what is their order from the Sun? In case of appearance of the sargassum at the beach area, our staff clean the sand and recollect the sargassum manually early morning, so our guests can enjoy the beach. He told us that, after studying satellite imagery, its understood there is a large amount of seaweed growing between the coast of Africa and Brazil, an area they have coined the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. The catamaran-style boats will cost around 15million pesos ($783,500) and should be ready before the end of the year. Not all beaches have implemented this system as there is concern about disturbing nesting turtles and other sea life. Yet to hit the market, the company are now looking to hire 150 people to create 20,000 shoecres a month, say Mexico News Daily. Latest sargassum seaweed map, September 16 (Source): Ojeda, who recently called the problem alarming, said that authorities are preparing for the largest amount of sargassum observed on Cancun beaches since 2018. Don't let sargassum ruin your beach day! * Do not embed this map in a website or a blog without permission from Sargassum Monitoring. Implications of the events on the tourism and fisheries sectors as well as the environment are provided. It is a seaweed that is brown in color and filled with oxygen so it floats and joins to form large masses. Local authorities put up the 2.5km-long fence as part of their on-going efforts to prevent the seaweed from hitting the land, according to Mexico News Daily. The situation in the country, as described by the official: in Isla Mujeres, there is zero sargassum; in the municipality of Benito Jurez, on the Chac Mool beach, yesterday 5 percent was detected; in Puerto Morelos, on Pelicanos Beach, 20 percent; in Playa San Martin in Cozumel, 20 percent; in the municipality of Solidaridad, El Recodo beach, 30 percent; in Playa Maya in Tulum it is where more arrivals of this algae have been reported, 40%; while in Othn P. Blanco, in El Mahahual, 15%., An Extraordinary Legacy of Exploration National Geographic Expeditions was founded on the same belief in the importance of exploration that distinguishes the National Geographic Societys 130-year history. From August 28: Sargassum season 2019 is over according to the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council, reports Mexico News Daily. Day +58 F. Continue with Recommended Cookies. There is no law against removing sargassum in Florida, so many owners of hotels and beachfront properties have been able to remove the seaweed by hand without a permit. Tulum SEAWEED Conditions [2022]: A Detailed Guide!! Isla Mujeres SEAWEED Problem in 2022? % From December 5: Italy has offered to help Quintana Roo find a solution to Mexicos sargassum influx, according to The Yucatan Times. By 2018, the amount was regarding, after which it decreased. Twitter The sargassum season in 2023 is expected to be just as bad as the one in 2022. The seaweed accumulation has been most prolific on stretches of exposed beach and less noticeable in areas that are protected by natural headlands, bays, or coves. The Government of Barbados and various stakeholders are keen to unearth opportunities to translate this raw material into profit. Beaches in the hotel zone in Cancun are still relatively clean and well-maintained but plenty of the beaches on the coast such as Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Akumal or Playacar have already high levels of seaweed. ){en\U.Jidd 3m2Zn,`^*faQWh@39{x=a;7S8 816[tYm*Ze*#c(p+:e6a|FkaYV2.KUKVzrJg8gI2'|P&gs8*#K?s7acI7YSS~h(c>bT5%/mZ^P(tY;Xq*]2aH:-cgkSs"kH{kL\X}.,!Zx0YnWR)T__hEAyqgBq2W1plH^ *%Q3={c8*BONH1LO=b.j{r-&[9M{b0HDW6&W ]ACZf 2IW1&T:?5W!16!9z ^$zP_OKt~^;|(DA z{0>v#Hh4t&Lm}l]1t-w=q}.F&WS1#wO 4 BHH)O1rA%y^bcFAji~yAz$p} Po Hym89-yhq+nh_&lJ,/[Ox0srN$;;d4BM %+JPKa')z G'4qy Z82_2gd; +E=b`_wr Y/oi.[|wr^KA0edO;l__iw /9\}v '{=[Y{moJ.Oo2s|; O T h x'=ADO2ymNS{ylgvNn|l#9I8@z6_< It clumps together in huge masses and then washes up on the beach. Comets are small celestial bodies that orbit the Sun. Beaches have also been eroded due to the use of heavy machinery to remove sargassum from the beaches. Barbados, like the rest of the Caribbean region, first experienced extraordinary volumes of sargassum within their nearshore waters and washed up on their beaches in 2011. All rights reserved. With rising ocean temperatures, the seaweed problem has escalated to where it is today in 2022. This specific seaweed is known as sargassum. Local authorities are asking for residents and tourists to be patient in the next few months. When sargassum gets washed up on the shore, it begins to decay and releases hydrogen sulfide gas. Once caught in the mesh, the Sargasso seaweed is then picked up by boats and returned in the sea current that is directed toward the Yucatan Channel. The Italian government pledged their support in a bid to protect the Italians who work, live, and vacation on Mexicos Caribbean Coast. In the first week of April the sea barrier will be installed in Playa del Carmen, and again in Tulum in the second week of April. Rear Admiral Lpez added that sargassum collection vessels will also be used at sea to catch sargassum before it reaches the coast. <> Floating sargassum rafts provide a wonderful natural habitat for many sea creatures. As of today, everything is a lot better. Roughly over 3,300 miles of that is on the Atlantic side and over 5,000 miles on the gulf side. YouTube. There is also a phenomenon known as upwelling, in which nutritious seawater rises from the bottom to the top of the ocean, which helps to feed the floating plant. Privacy & Terms, More about this and other astronomy highlights 2023. Manage Settings Sargassum reproduces continuously throughout the year in the sargasso sea but with the help of ocean currents, it reaches the beaches of Florida and the other Caribbean countries. To find out exactly where sargassum is coming from and how it ends up on Mexicos coast, we spoke to Florida Atlantic Universitys Dr Brian Lapointe, a research professor and leading expert on sargassum. Beta The Interactive Night Sky Map simulates the sky above Stockholm County on a date of your choice.