Sargassum Seaweed Accumulation on TCI’s Coastline

#TurksandCaicos, January 9, 2018 – Providenciales – Sargassum seaweed is a natural part of marine and coastal processes, and provide habitat for over 250 animal species.   Sargassum blooms were rare throughout the Caribbean region prior to 2011, but climate change and shifting ocean currents made blooms much more common; currents and winds then transport the sargassum onto shorelines.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government acknowledge that the current quantities of sargassum that have washed ashore may pose a frustration to resorts and visitors along Grace Bay, and would like to assure resort managers that we seek to act in the best interests of our valued visitors and our environment.   Although sargassum poses no threat to humans and provides food and habitat for birds and smaller animals, decaying mounds of seaweed may create eyesores and offensive odours.  The management of these issues therefore requires careful consideration of the enjoyment of the shoreline and the environment.

The use of heavy machinery including raking tractors and trucks compromise the stability of the beautiful beach that we all enjoy.   Further, the Princess Alexandra Marine Park was established to maintain the beauty of what is accepted to be the World’s Number 1 Beach.   To preserve the stability and beauty of Grace Bay Beach, we recommend that resorts utilize wheelbarrows and manual rakes to transport the sargassum off of the shoreline.   The current quantities of sargassum are too large to be buried in the sand and should be transported to the dump for waste disposal.

We would like to thank the resorts that have been actively engaged in managing this issue and assure all that we will seek to mobilize the necessary resources to address this issue in the short and long-term.

Press Release: TCIG