Due to heavy storms at sea sargassum seaweed from the direction of Bermuda has been coming our way for the last few days. Last year the Cayman beaches were hit, now it's our turn. The sargassum is harmless as long as it stays on the ocean where it usually stays and in fact is a good source of nutrients for birds, fish and (baby)turtles.
When it comes on land, the rotting process starts and release toxic substances. In addition, marine life can still be trapped in the seaweed and die which creates an a strong unpleasant smell.
Everything is done to save as many living creatures from the sargassum as possible and to be set free in water where it is save.
Everybody on the island is working their butt off to get the sargassum out of the water using surfboards as floating wheelbarrow and to get it off the coast.
Government staff gets days off from work to help, companies with more suitable equipment than a wheelbarrow and a rake come with heavy equipment even tourists help because their surfing paradise is spoiled.
When the sargassum sinks it absorbs all the oxygen from the water and means a disaster for marine life in the area. If the seaweed is not removed, it will smell like rotting eggs and poisonous substances are released that can be dangerous for humans and animals.
There is a great danger to the mangroves.
Mangroves are the nursery of the ocean a lot of marine life starts there before it goes out to open sea.
The coming days we will continue to work and remove the sargassum as much as possible. All Nature Organisations work overtime and when you live on an island and disaster strikes, you help.
I would like to add this link if you like some more information about the Sargassum and the possible consequences.
http://akumaldiveshop.com/sargassum-the-what-where-and-why-of-this-seaweed/
Thank you for reading.