Loíza raises alarm over high levels of sargassum in beaches

Loíza mayor conveyed that she had reached out to state authorities, specifically contacting the Undersecretary of the DNER.

By The Star Staff

The mayor of Loíza, Julia Nazario Fuentes, has released an urgent call, indicating the alarming presence of a substantial amount of sargassum along her municipality’s coastline, particularly inundating the Parcelas Suárez community and extending all the way to Puente Herrera.

“Every year, we brace ourselves for the sargassum that washes ashore, yet the sheer volume that arrived last night is unprecedented, and the influx shows no signs of diminishing,” she remarked with concern.

As this brown seaweed slowly decomposes along the sandy shores, it emits hydrogen sulfide gas, a byproduct known for producing a pungent, rotten egg smell that has begun to permeate the coastal air, adversely affecting the quality of life for residents. Though sargassum itself is not classified as toxic, it can facilitate the proliferation of marine organisms, including jellyfish larvae, which can irritate the skin of unsuspecting beachgoers. Moreover, the noxious gas emitted during decomposition poses a respiratory threat, especially to individuals with asthma and other respiratory conditions.

In her statement, Nazario Fuentes conveyed that she had reached out to state authorities, specifically contacting Nelson Cruz, the Undersecretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA). He assured her that a specialized technical team would be dispatched today, Monday afternoon, to initiate a thorough clean-up and proper disposal of the troublesome sargassum. “Loiza lacks the necessary equipment for such extensive cleanup efforts, but our team is prepared to collaborate closely with them,” she added, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

According to the environmental advocacy website paralanaturaleza.org, Puerto Rico is currently grappling with the most significant influx of these floating algae recorded this year. Julio Morell, a seasoned professor in the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of Puerto Rico’s Mayagüez Campus (RUM), remarked that this challenging event began unfolding around the weekend of June 11 and is still in progress. He noted that satellite imagery continues to reveal vast quantities of this macroalgae lingering in the Atlantic waters. Historically, the peak season for sargassum in the Caribbean typically spans from July to August.

The exact reasons behind this dramatic surge of sargassum remain somewhat enigmatic. However, experts speculate that various contributing factors, including agricultural runoff, elevated water temperatures, and fluctuations in wind patterns, ocean currents, and rainfall, might be exacerbating the phenomenon, as highlighted in reports by The Guardian.

Looking ahead, predictions indicate that 2025 could set a daunting record for sargassum accumulation in the Atlantic, with scientists anticipating a staggering 40% increase compared to the previous high noted in 2022. This development poses a significant environmental challenge for the Caribbean region. Puerto Rico’s coastlines are already experiencing the repercussions: since mid-May, popular beaches such as Playa Santa in Guánica and Punta Santiago in Humacao have reported significant sargassum build-up, creating discomfort for both residents and visitors alike.