Source :LOOP Caribbean
Over the next three months, the influx of Sargassum seaweed is likely to be severe in the Eastern Caribbean, though at different volumes.
This is according to the March 2023 Sargassum Sub Regional Outlook Bulletin published by the UWI Centre for Resource Management and Environment Studies, Cave Hill, Barbados.
It says as forecast, most Eastern Caribbean islands have been seeing record amounts of sargassum in the first quarter of 2023, a period that is normally relatively free of seaweed.
The outlook states the level of sargassum arriving now is already severe and is not expected to let up in the coming weeks. There is still twice as much (202 percent more) sargassum visible out in the Atlantic as seen this time last year.
According to the current outlook for mid-March to mid-April 2023, there will continue to be a marked difference between the islands of the Eastern Caribbean in the amount of sargassum they are likely to receive over the next three months.
Northern and Middle islands will see a lot more sargassum than customary for these months, whilst Southern islands are expected to experience much less, although cloud cover in the current satellite image may be hiding some southern sargassum.
Northern islands will continue to receive very high volumes of sargassum, with only a short lull at the end of April before the summer sargassum season.
Middle islands are expected to receive fairly high volumes through mid-April, experience a lull at the end of April and then high volumes going into summer, similar to last year.
Southern islands can expect sargassum towards the end of March, remain clear during April and start to see sargassum again in May, but less than last year.