A Little Love for the Sargasso in the Riviera Maya
Anyone who has traveled to any beach destination in the Caribbean this year has noticed the abundance of seaweed on our shores, Riviera Maya beaches included. We have seen a huge increase in the amount of sargasso on the beach, more than I have seen in my almost 12 years here. While tourists complain, I have to say, let's show a little love and respect to nature, there are GOOD things to be said about this natural phenomenon.
"The Sargasso Sea" is an area of the Atlantic Ocean roughly 1100 kms wide and 3200 kms long, home to the seaweed called "sargassum". There are no physical boundaries to the sea, only the currents of the Atlantic mark its boundaries. Christopher Columbus reported on the vast expanse of seaweed on his 1492 crossing to the new world, erroneously thinking it meant land was near.
So why the heck is there SO MUCH SEAWEED this year? My research came up with a lot of speculation and no real answers. Changing climate, changing patterns of the sea, pollution, rising sea temperatures, nobody can nail it down to just one reason, it just IS. Who are we to question Mother Nature?
The sargasso is a vital eco-system unto itself, home to many species of ocean life. Sea turtles rely on sargasso for protection from predators as they make their way through the oceans. It is a floating refuge for crabs, shrimp, and a wide variety of fish who take advantage of the rich feeding ground and use it as a safe place for breeding. When the sargasso washes ashore, it nourishes the beaches and prevents erosion, as well as creating a food source for birds and other beach creatures.
Is the sargasso a danger to humans? NOPE. Some people may have an allergic reaction to some of the critters that live within (insects etc after it is washed ashore) but the seaweed itself is harmless. You can walk on it, pick it up, swim through it and enjoy knowing what an incredible source of life it is. It is not slimy or "icky" when fresh, though when it dries it can be a bit crunchy underfoot. The resorts of the Riviera Maya and Cancun have crews working throughout the day to try to clear the beaches, but it really is a Sisyphean task.
So while some may not think it's pretty (up close it's lovely really, like little bunches of teeny tiny grapes) and it may interfere with your picture-postcard vision of the beach, it is a natural and integral part of a healthy ocean. So let's show a little love to the sargasso, get past our human need for "perfection" and salute the plant that brings LIFE to the sea and our beaches.
What are your thoughts and experiences with sargasso? Let us know in the comments!
(photos property of CancunCanuck © , shot with GoPro Hero Silver, please do not use without permission)