PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic — The sargassum crisis has returned in 2025 with renewed force, once again raising alarms across the Caribbean. This growing environmental challenge is no longer limited to government concerns. It’s deeply affecting residents in coastal communities, small-scale fishermen, tourism operators, energy producers, merchants, and anyone who depends on the sea for their livelihood.
According to recent data from the University of South Florida, a massive sargassum raft weighing more than 37 million metric tons was detected in May. Experts warn that it will continue expanding in the months ahead, posing a serious threat to the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean nations. Already, close to six million tons have reached Dominican shores, with marine biologists cautioning that the worst is likely still to come.
A report from the National Authority for Maritime Affairs (ANAMAR), covering June 5 to 10, revealed that the heaviest concentrations of the algae have impacted the southern coastlines of the country, particularly between Azua and Pedernales. These areas are facing the brunt of the upwelling, where marine life and tourism operations are being severely disrupted.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has stepped up monitoring efforts in the most affected zones, such as Boca Chica and Barahona. While there has been consistent support, many argue that the response remains limited in scope given the magnitude of the problem.
To address this growing crisis, President Luis Abinader established the “Sargassum Fight Cabinet” in August 2023. This inter-institutional body was tasked with coordinating policies and actions to combat the negative impacts of sargassum. However, despite this effort, critics say the measures taken have not matched the scale or urgency of the challenge.
In April 2024, the government introduced a National Contingency Plan for the Management of Sargassum Upwellings. However, its execution has been slow. A recent statement from the Ministry of Environment (Mimarena), which leads the Cabinet alongside the Ministry of Tourism, noted that a more comprehensive strategy is now in development with support from the European Union and other international partners.
This plan aims to update the regulatory framework for handling sargassum, improve methods of disposal and reuse, and enhance the country’s Monitoring and Early Warning System to ensure faster and better-informed responses. A critical component is the improvement of data-sharing between authorities and communities.
Among the measures already implemented are the issuance of 15 permits for installing sargassum retention barriers along popular beaches, including Bávaro, El Cortesito, Uvero Alto, and Cabeza de Toro. Additionally, 10 authorizations have been granted for mechanical sargassum removal in the Bávaro area. A notable research initiative, known as DASP—short for “Fisheries Associated with Sargassum Deposits or Rafts for Fish Aggregations”—is being led by the Center for Marine Biology Research (CIBIMA) at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo.
The government is also developing a national database to track sargassum-related projects focused on turning this invasive algae into economic opportunities. Currently, 24 such projects have been identified, many of which are supported through a mix of public investment, private backing, and international cooperation.
Sargassum is not a new issue for the region. Since 2015, this floating macroalgae has plagued beaches and marine ecosystems throughout the Caribbean. At the recent Third United Nations Conference on the Oceans, Dominican Environment Minister Paíno Henríquez shared that over RD$100 million has already been invested in various sargassum mitigation efforts. These initiatives aim to align with circular economy practices that promote sustainability and resource reuse.
Even in 2024, one of the milder years for sargassum, the Caribbean was inundated with 37.5 million tons of the algae. Of that, approximately three million tons reached the Dominican Republic’s shores. As 2025 unfolds, the situation is clearly intensifying—requiring urgent, coordinated, and science-driven responses to protect the country’s ecosystems and its vital tourism economy.
