According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the sargassum blooms will continue to disrupt Caribbean waters into mid-October.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/14/us/seaweed-blob-florida-mexico.html

And since 2011, the proliferation of sargassum in the Caribbean has accelerated exponentially, multiplying its biomass tenfold in the space of a few years.

Source: https://time.com/6267120/seaweed-blob-solution-sustainable-future/

“But Virgin Islanders should be prepared, in general, to encounter sargassum on a more frequent basis in the coming years, because large amounts of sargassum in the Atlantic represent a new normal as compared to 10 years ago.”

Source: https://stjohntradewinds.com/an-inundation-of-sargassum-seaweed-is-moving-westward-usvi-in-the-path/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=an-inundation-of-sargassum-seaweed-is-moving-westward-usvi-in-the-path

“But Virgin Islanders should be prepared, in general, to encounter sargassum on a more frequent basis in the coming years, because large amounts of sargassum in the Atlantic represent a new normal as compared to 10 years ago.”

Source: https://stjohntradewinds.com/an-inundation-of-sargassum-seaweed-is-moving-westward-usvi-in-the-path/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=an-inundation-of-sargassum-seaweed-is-moving-westward-usvi-in-the-path

Long-term solutions have been approved for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding to mitigate sargassum as the Authority actively coordinates with the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency and other federal and local agencies.

Source: https://stjohntradewinds.com/st-croix-sargassum-condition-sees-improvement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=st-croix-sargassum-condition-sees-improvement

Once cleaned of heavy metals, microplastics, sand and other detritus, sargassum is finding many uses, particularly as biogas, but also biofertilizer, cellulose packaging and even artificial vegan leather.

Source: https://southafricatoday.net/environment/from-nuisance-to-new-green-industry/

Other entrepreneurs are starting to manufacture building bricks using this sargassum.

Source: https://time.com/6267120/seaweed-blob-solution-sustainable-future/

Scientists have tracked the huge blooms of sargassum seaweed that form across the Atlantic Ocean since 2011 — and this year’s mass is setting new records with its size, they say.

Source: https://krdo.com/news/2023/05/01/a-record-breaking-blob-of-smelly-seaweed-is-arriving-in-key-west-and-tourists-arent-happy-about-it/

Stacked up mats of sargassum can also damage seagrasses and coral.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/03/15/a-massive-seaweed-blob-is-headed-for-florida-rotten-stench-included/

The new dangers found in the FAU study add to the risks already associated with sargassum, chiefly the risk to people with respiratory problems stemming from the release of hydrogen sulfide, which gives the sargassum it’s unpleasant odor.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/05/30/florida-bound-giant-seaweed-blob-contains-flesh-eating-bacteria-study-shows/

The new dangers found in the FAU study add to the risks already associated with sargassum, chiefly the risk to people with respiratory problems stemming from the release of hydrogen sulfide, which gives the sargassum it’s unpleasant odor.

Source: https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/05/30/florida-bound-giant-seaweed-blob-contains-flesh-eating-bacteria-study-shows/

Tiny creatures living in the sargassum can produce rashes and blisters.

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/03/19/massive-seaweed-bloom-starts-washing-ashore-florida-beaches/