Ocean Plastics & Sea Sargassum

What is Sea Sargassum

-The floating variety seen around the Caribbean is a golden-brown algae that grows in the open ocean on the surface of the water.

–Tiny gas-filled bubbles keep it near the surface, where sunlight supports its growth. Winds and currents gather it into drifting patches and rafts.

-Most of the sargassum arriving in the Caribbean comes from the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, a vast tropical Atlantic region between Africa and the Americas.

-Nutrients and fertilizer from river runoff is mostly to blame for the influx in sargassum in recent years.

The Sargasso Seas

-The Sargasso Sea lies in the North Atlantic, around Bermuda and north of the Caribbean.

-Unlike any other ocean in the world—Its boundaries are defined by circulating ocean currents rather than coastlines.

-Naturally occurring floating sargassum is a defining feature of this open-ocean ecosystem.

-The Sargasso Sea and the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt are separate regions. Today’s large Caribbean influxes are primarily associated with the tropical belt.

Sea Sargassum - The Good

-Floating sargassum provides hiding places for juvenile fish and sea turtles during vulnerable stages of life.

-Small creatures living among the seaweed provide food for larger fish and seabirds.

-These drifting habitats support a remarkable variety of marine life, including species specially adapted to living in the algae.

-Research is beginning to show surprising results for the use of sargassum in building materials and biofuel—potentially creating opportunities for coastal communities around the world.

Sea Sargassum - The Bad

-Heavy accumulations can block sunlight and smother seagrass, corals and other shallow-water life.

-Sargassum rotting ashore releases gases that create a strong smell and can affect nearby air quality.

-Dense arrivals can interfere with swimming, fishing and boating, affecting tourism and local incomes.

-Removing large quantities requires substantial resources and careful planning to protect beaches and wildlife. Better forecasting helps communities prepare, but managing major influxes remains challenging.

Ocean Plastics

-Marine debris can reach the ocean through rivers, storm drains and poorly managed waste. Lost fishing gear and pollution from boats also contribute to the problem.

-Sunlight and wave action gradually fragment plastic into smaller pieces, including microplastics, which persist in the environment and are difficult to remove.

-Turtles, seabirds and fish can mistake plastic for food, while discarded nets and other debris can entangle wildlife and damage marine habitats.

-Cutting unnecessary single-use plastics, choosing reusable items and improving waste collection can prevent pollution at its source. Beach cleanups help remove existing litter, while lasting progress depends on keeping more plastic out of the ocean.

What We're Doing About It

-Throughout a typical season, Island Expeditions is responsible for removing hundreds of pounds of plastics and debris from Belize’s waters and shorelines.

-We organize plastic cleanups throughout the year, remove debris as it washes up on our shores and educate our guests and staff on ways they can be a part of the solution.

-During periods of heavy sargassum buildup, we organize dedicated crews to assist with the clean up. Sargassum is often mixed with sand and packed into the shoreline to assist with erosion.

-Sargassum comes in waves, quite literally. We do our best to remove it as efficiently as possible; however, some guests may experience some odour associated with the algae’s decomposition process.