A new invasion of sargassum is seriously affecting the beaches of eastern Cuba, especially along the southern coast of Guantánamo, where coastal communities such as Baitiquirí and El Guanal are witnessing their natural environments transformed into fields of decaying algae.
The Guantánamo Fishing Company alerted on Facebook about the magnitude of the phenomenon, which coincides with the start of summer and has made fishing, beach recreation, and other marine activities uncomfortable.
Local journalist Miguel Noticias described the phenomenon as a "lash of sargassum" and detailed the serious environmental situation in the area.
Reported foul odors caused by the decomposition of algae, respiratory issues among residents, deaths of fish and other species, and corrosion of metal structures and household items.
"This natural phenomenon suffocates marine ecosystems, drives away tourism, and jeopardizes local fishing," he warned.
The event causes environmental devastation and social unrest, compounded by the lack of resources for its collection.
The massive arrival of sargassum on the Cuban shores is not an isolated event.
In May 2025, a historical accumulation of nearly 38 million tons of floating sargassum was recorded in the tropical Atlantic, significantly surpassing the previous record of 22 million in 2022.
Some scientific projections indicate that the global volume could exceed 40 million tons in the coming months, posing an unprecedented threat to the Caribbean.
The impact of sargassum goes beyond the visual or aesthetic.
Upon touching land, the algae decay and release hydrogen sulfide, a gas that produces a strong odor, irritates the eyes and respiratory tract, and deteriorates air quality.
In the water, sargassum blocks sunlight, warms the waters, and reduces oxygen levels, severely impacting ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and populations of turtles, sea urchins, and fish.
The causes of the phenomenon are complex and are linked to global processes.
The discharge of nutrients—such as nitrogen and phosphorus—from rivers like the Amazon, combined with climate change and alterations in ocean currents, has excessively fertilized the Atlantic, driving the massive growth and movement of sargassum towards the Caribbean coasts.
While countries like Mexico have activated special operations with marine barriers, collecting vessels, and treatment plants to mitigate the impact, in Cuba, the lack of technical and logistical resources hinders an effective response.
In the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean islands, floating barriers, preventive closures, and health campaigns have been implemented. Initiatives have also emerged to convert sargassum into fertilizers, bricks, or bioplastics, although their scalability is still limited.
Given this situation, experts agree that the crisis requires a coordinated regional strategy.
Satellite monitoring systems, offshore collection, investments in infrastructure for treatment, and sustainable economic utilization models are needed.
International cooperation—through organizations like Caricom, Cepal, and the UN—will be essential to address a phenomenon that is no longer merely seasonal but structural, and that threatens to intensify in the coming years.
Meanwhile, in eastern Cuba, coastal communities continue to wait for a concrete solution as they see their beaches turned into natural landfills and their way of life trapped amid the waves of sargassum.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sargassum Invasion on the Beaches of Eastern Cuba
How does the invasion of sargassum affect the beaches of eastern Cuba?
The invasion of sargassum severely affects the beaches of eastern Cuba, turning natural environments into fields of decomposing algae. This leads to unpleasant odors, affects the respiratory health of residents, causes the death of fish and other species, and corrodes metal structures and household items, undermining local fishing and driving away tourism.
What are the causes of the increase in sargassum in the Caribbean?
The causes of the increase in sargassum are complex and linked to global processes. The discharge of nutrients from rivers such as the Amazon, climate change, and alterations in ocean currents have fertilized the Atlantic, driving the massive growth and movement of sargassum toward the Caribbean coasts.
What measures are being taken in other Caribbean countries to combat sargassum?
Countries like Mexico and the Dominican Republic have implemented operations with marine barriers, collecting vessels, and treatment plants to mitigate the impact of sargassum. Initiatives have also emerged to transform sargassum into products such as fertilizers and bioplastics, although their scalability is still limited.
Why isn't Cuba implementing effective measures against sargassum?
In Cuba, the lack of technical and logistical resources hinders an effective response to the sargassum problem. Although the scale of the phenomenon has been acknowledged, the limited capacity of the Cuban government prevents the implementation of meaningful measures like those adopted in other Caribbean countries.
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