During my stay here the Dominican Republic there has been a massive amount of sargassum seaweed adrift in the bay and washing ashore on the beaches. Many of the expats who live here and the local peoples have been puzzled by this occurrence stating "this has never happened before".

mom next to a pile

Additionally my brother and his girlfriend live in Mexico on the Yucatan peninsula and have noticed the same thing on their beaches over the last year.

With some research I have unveiled a little bit of the mystery of what might be going on.

As it turns out the same thing occurred in 2011 in the Caribbean waters in various regions but to a lesser degree.
Prior to 2011 the Sargassum seaweed was only found in the Northern Atlantic in an area called the Sargasso Sea.

Scientists do not know why this once isolated species is now occurring through out the Caribbean and as far south as the waters off the coast of Brazil. Nor do they know how far reaching the ecological impacts of this change could be. Many species are struggling with introduction of the large floating plants including the already endangered sea turtles who become entrapped in large patches and drown.

The economic impacts this year have been devastating for regions. Fishermen are struggling to avoid the weeds with their nets, and the tourism industry is dealing with disappointed travelers who expected the crystal clear waters and white sands.