A HUGE seaweed invasion is turning popular tourist beaches from Miami down to Mexico into a brown mess.
The foul-smelling algae is not only plaguing the many tourist resorts that line the coast but also destroying the eco-systems in the sea.
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The beach resorts along the east coast of the Americas is loved by Brits.
But in recent years, everywhere from Florida down to the Caribbean and Mexico has seen an invasion of a seaweed known as sargassum.
They wash up onto the beaches on a daily basis, where they start to decay and stink.
Earlier this year, scientists warned that a huge seaweed the size of Jamaica was heading towards Mexico and could even hit Belize.
And the problem is only getting worse every year.
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The brown algae is an eye-sore – far from what travellers expect when they’ve booked a hotel overlooking the white sandy beaches as featured in brochures.
It also decays once on the land, giving off a smell similar to rotten eggs.
The smell comes from hydrogen sulphide, which can be extremely toxic.
It can also produce ammonia.
Those who breath it in can experience everything from shortness of breath to dizziness and skin rashes.
Just earlier this year, an oyster farmer died as a result of the fumes from rotting seaweed, albeit of a different species in France.
And last year, there were 11,000 cases of “acute Sargassum toxicity” on Guadeloupe and Martinique alone according to Reuters.
How Sargassum can be toxic
When Sargassum decomposes, it produces hydrogen sulphid.
In the air, it’s a caustic gas that can cause everything from breathing problems to skin rashes.
In the water, it’s extremely acidic and can be toxic for swimmers.
Those who have come into contact or into close proximity to the seaweed have also reported heart palpitations, vertigo, and headaches.
The acid that seeps from the seaweed when it dies on the shore is also affecting the sea – the once bright blue waters are becoming dimmer, with the local sea-life dying as a result.
According to Turquesa News Mexico, a letter from locals in Quintana Roo explained: “Our beaches have lost the crystalline colour of their waters and their shades of blue and turquoise green; seagrass and fish die because of the lack of light and the oxygen that is stolen by the sargassum; the turtles are affected as well as the coral reef. “
They added: “The collection of sargassum on the beach causes erosion and its putrefaction of an acid gas with a rotten egg odour can be harmful to human health”.
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How sargassum is already affecting tourists
Tourists have already been complaining this year about the problem, with many saying holiday providers are failing to inform customers.
Twitter user Kim Brownlie said: “The actual stench is that bad we can smell it at the pool never mind go onto the beach.
“All I was stating was TUI should at least tell customers about the massive seaweed problem and it’s possible you cant use the beach, least then customers can change location.”
Matt Collins added: “Why was there no information about the seaweed provided by Tui despite this being a known problem?
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“My hotel has a beach that can’t be used, and a resort that smells like rotting eggs. What are the chances I’d be able to change hotel without paying the fees?”
Another tourist said they had a “ruined beach holiday” due to “tons of smelly seaweed and diggers on [the] beach all day.”
Tui replied that there is an “increased level of seaweed” at the resorts, but was being dealt with by teams on the ground.
What is causing sargassum to wash up on the beaches?
The smelly brown seaweed which has been seen in Mexico and other places around the world such as the Caribbean and Ibiza has been attributed to a number of causes.
Researchers claim that climate change has contributed to the increase in sargassum and suggest that the rising sea temperature is behind it.
It is also claimed that the pollution of the seas is causing the increase, with waste and sewage helping the algae to grow.
While the seaweed is fine in the sea, being alive and contributing to the local eco-system, the problems start when it washes up on the shore.
The seaweed then rots away, secreting the dangerous acids and results in the dirty beaches and foul-smells.
How countries are fighting Sargassum
Sargassum is a huge problem for many countries.
Earlier this year, 13 countries, including Mexico and several islands in the Caribbean, met to discuss what can be done to combat the seaweed in the future.
Right now, it’s a case of hotel resort workers removing the seaweed day by day.
And this year, Mexico dispatched its navy to capture the seaweed in the ocean, before it hits the coast, which it claims to have been successful.
Last year, a family were left disappointed after their £5,000 Caribbean holiday was ruined by the dirty sea and foul-smelling seaweed.
Angie Brown, 52, had booked the trip for her 30th anniversary with her husband, only to be met with the hideous sight and smell.
Last month, Ibiza was also hit with the rotting seaweed, resulting in disgusting beaches.
Sun Online Travel has contacted Tui for comment.
