Along with other Caribbean countries, Martinique’s daily life has been disrupted in various ways by the excessive accumulation of Sargassum seaweed. A press release from Le Robert announced that the town mayor decided to close schools near the coast due to the excess of Sargassum seaweed, which may have detrimental effects on humans. (See information on impacts on human health after the excerpts below.) Peggy Pinel-Fereol (La1ere-Martinique) reports:
[. . .] The announcement was made this Sunday, June 15, in a press release published on the social media of the city of Le Robert.
“To protect our children, I have decided today, in agreement with the education authority, to close the following schools: Edgard LABOURG Elementary School in Four à Chaux, LES CORAUX Kindergarten in Cité La Croix, and EMILE CAPGRAS Elementary School in Pointe Lynch, effective Tuesday, June 17, 2025.”
Mayor Farell François-Haugrin justified this decision by stating that there was no solution “in the face of increasingly intense arrivals of Sargassum seaweed.” Indeed, “an even larger amount of Sargassum seaweed was observed stranded on the coast this Sunday, June 15th.” He added, “The health of our children and staff is at stake. I remain constantly vigilant and once again issue a solemn appeal for coordinated cooperation to find lasting solutions to this problem that affects us all.” [. . .]
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The United Stated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains: “Sargassum inundation events (SIEs) can potentially affect human health nearshore or decomposing on beaches. For example, Sargassum may harbor organisms, like jellyfish, that can cause skin irritation. Exposure to hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, produced during the decay of Sargassum, may also cause mild to serious health effects, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological impacts. Additionally, Sargassum accumulates and leaches pollutants, including pesticides and heavy metals like arsenic, which could harm human health and the environment.”
Excerpts above translated by Ivette Romero. For full article, in French, see https://la1ere.franceinfo.fr/martinique/trois-ecoles-du-robert-fermees-a-cause-des-algues-sargasses-1595967.html12
For more information on sargassum, see “Sargassum Inundation Events (SIEs): Impacts on Human Health,” at https://www.epa.gov/habs/sargassum-inundation-events-sies-impacts-human-health