Caribbean tourism authorities say they are taking action over the growing problem of stinking seaweed along some of its coastline.
A statement released by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation said it is ‘treating this matter seriously and with urgency’ after reports that some holidaymakers have cancelled their trips because of the unsightly and smelly problem.
"It is an unwelcome visitor which can be uncomfortable and which takes away from the beach experience for our guests," it said.
"We have engaged a number of regional and international institutions in our attempts at finding solutions, among them, universities."
It said its partners have called for efforts to get a ‘deeper understanding of how to tackle the issue collaboratively, with key stakeholders, public- and private-sector, contributing to the discussion’.
Sargassum, which smells like rotten eggs, is a natural occurrence believed to originate in the Sargasso Sea, a two million-square-mile body of warm water near Bermuda in the north Atlantic.
But some scientists believe the current influx was brought into the Eastern Caribbean through the North Brazil Current.
This year seems to be a bumper crop and officials on Tobago have termed it a ‘natural disaster’.
Tobago’s Secretary of Tourism and Transportation Tracey Davidson-Celestine said although several areas have been impacted by the seaweed, a clean-up is underway to remove the mounds of seaweed that have washed ashore.
Local residents have also joined the campaign to clear the beaches.
"Even though the Atlantic side is affected by the Sargassum, beachgoers and divers are enjoying our beautiful beaches and clear waters, which have remained unaffected by the seaweed," she said.
"We are optimistic that through our collaboration we will be able to cope with this natural phenomenon."
