The Seaweed Invasion: A Threat to Coastal Economies and Ecosystems The once pristine beaches of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico are now being overrun by a giant belt of sargassum seaweed, threatening local economies.
This summer's record breaking bloom has brought a pungent stench, entangled marine life, and a growing health crisis for those who swim in its waters.
NASA satellite data reveals that the sargassum belt stretches 5,500 miles across the Atlantic, making it the largest macroalgae bloom on record.