There is hope even as Sargassum problem grows says UN Official

Sargassum inundations are no longer occasional, with major events reported annually across the Caribbean, from the Mexican Caribbean and Central America to the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Grenada, and Colombia. The issue was highlighted in the most recent issue of the UNDP’s newsletter which reproduced information from a presentation made by Christopher Corbin, Coordinator of the UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat.

In May 2025, a record breaking 37.5 million metric tons of sargassum were recorded in the Atlantic threatening marine life, coastal economies and public health across the Caribbean, he pointed out. This is the highest total since monitoring began in 2011. The previous high was 22 million tons in June, 2022. This year’s surge marks a 70% increase .

University of South Florida researchers attribute the recent influx to a combination of climate change, fertilizer run-off, deforestation, and shifts in wind patterns/atmospheric pressure that enhance nutrient upwelling.

The UN official said what was once a natural part of the ocean ecosystem is now a serious threat—to human health, marine life, and vital economic sectors like fishing and tourism.

Rotting sargassum releases hydrogen sulfide gas, causing respiratory issues and deterring visitors. Tourism losses are in the hundreds of millions, with millions more spent on clean-up. In some coastal areas, property values have declined.

Fisherfolk are also affected—clogged engines, damaged gear, and disrupted habitats threaten both their livelihoods and regional food security, Corbin pointed out. Even worse, sargassum is smothering coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses — ecosystems that protect our coasts and support marine biodiversity, Corbin added. However, he said there is hope, noting that The Cartagena Convention Secretariat and Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW – Regional Activity Centre (RAC) are proactive. They are advocating and leading the charge with strengthened coordinated regional action plans promoting more wide scale early warning systems and risk mapping. Sustainable nature-based response strategies; support for national management and local adaption; and cross sector collaboration through the Regional Ocean Coordination Mechanism.

Corbin also listed the Sargassum Working Group, the SPAW, Land Based Protocols (LBS), and the new Regional Ocean Coordination Mechanism, which are connecting national priorities with unified regional action.

“No country can solve this alone. But together we can turn the tide,” Corbin said, “Let’s unite for a resilient, biodiverse, Caribbean Sea.”