Sargassum. What is it and why is it here?

Sargassum is an algae that looks like brown seaweed.  When floating in the ocean scientists refer to as a “golden floating rainforest.” However, when it arrives on the beach its unpleasant in appearance and smell, releasing hydrogen sulfide. Sargassum arrived in mass quantities in Belize less than ten years ago. It now comes and goes along the Caribbean coast up to the Yucatan in Mexico.

Sargassum comes and goes, with little notice. There is no way to predict when it arrives or how long it will stay.  In Belize, some places may go six months without any and then, the sargassum literally appears overnight. It stays for a few days or even weeks at a time.

Many people, resorts, and inns clean the beach by having groundskeepers rake it. But at times, the sargassum becomes too much and one cannot fight Mother Nature.  

Want to learn more about sargassum and why it is showing up in the Caribbean? https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/07/great-atlantic-sargassum-belt-here-stay/593290/