There is a lot of misinformation being posted all over the internet about Negril and sargassum (seaweed) on the beach.
Back in early August, we had a 4 page conversation about the new floating sargassum (seaweed) mats that are effecting several Caribbean destinations. Here is the link to the August thread:
http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...this-in-Negril
These seaweed mats float along certain Caribbean shorelines on a daily basis and are a consistent problem. Negril is NOT experiencing this problem. Here was the news story that started the August thread describing this new problem:
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/08...?intcmp=hplnws
Here is a picture taken of our beach on September 30th, 2015 - just 3 days ago:
Here is a picture taken yesterday morning in the same spot, during the rains and rough seas that have been hitting the beach due to the massive size weather system to the north (Joaquin) and its outer bands to the south. This is similar but not as intense as to what is currently happening on the East Coast of the USA:
The following is what I wrote back in August, and it is more pertinent now than it was then.
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Of course you will see it (seaweed) after any rough seas, that is how beaches get built up in the first place. That has been going on for thousands of years. But that is not what the article is talking about. The article is referring to the new (since 2011), consistent algae/seaweed (no rough seas required) pile ups on certain beaches and those mats floating around the sea in large living clumps, which has not been happening for thousands of years...
"Clumps of the brownish seaweed known as sargassum have long washed up on Caribbean coastlines, but researchers say the algae blooms have exploded in extent and frequency in recent years. The 2015 seaweed invasion appears to be a bumper crop..."
The most beneficial way the seaweed in Negril could be used would be to leave it right where it comes ashore. This allows for beach accretion (nourishment). The decaying seaweed adds to the beach and holds the sand that naturally washes ashore in place. But we, as humans, have a disgust for the decaying smell of seaweed.
This offensive seaweed smell is unfortunately the cause of many absurd Negril Rumor Mill claims. It has been said that the smell was caused by "run off from the waste water treatment plant", which happens to be miles away and yet there is no smell between the plant and the beach. And possibly the most creative claim, that a particular AI built hidden sewage pipes a mile out to the reef... ...The Negril Rumor Mill can be quite colourful at times and both these claims have both been posted here and other places on the Internet, as ridiculous as they may sound when actually analyzed.
Nature has a way that takes care of itself. It is when mankind steps in and thinks they know better that has caused many of our ecological problems.
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Over the next few days, to prevent the offensive decaying smell of seaweed, the hotel properties will be cleaning and clearing their beach, hopefully most will bury the seaweed which will help build up the beach. Some will probably have it loaded in a truck and carted away, not the best solution but a quick one. We will give the properties a day or so to clean up and have new picture for you on Monday!
