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Caribbean Faces Sargassum Crisis: 38 Million Tons Threaten Tourism

6/4/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In May, the Caribbean grappled with an unprecedented 38 million metric tons of sargassum, wreaking havoc on tourism and threatening marine life. This invasive brown algae flourishes in warmer waters, straining local economies. While some islands deploy barriers and specialized vessels for cleanup, others depend on hotels for support. The situation is poised to worsen with more sargassum anticipated in June.

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Story summary

In May, the Caribbean grappled with an unprecedented 38 million metric tons of sargassum, wreaking havoc on tourism and threatening marine life. This invasive brown algae flourishes in warmer waters, straining local economies. While some islands deploy barriers and specialized vessels for cleanup, others depend on hotels for support. The situation is poised to worsen with more sargassum anticipated in June.