  | It has been almost a year since we last saw the Sargasum seaweed on our golden shores and suddenly, last month it just popped up like a proverbial bad penny, appearing out of nowhere, or in truth, from The Sargaoss Sea, hence the name. This extraordinary free floating algae travels across the ocean in large mats or blankets, some of which can be huge, as much as two miles in radius. The area around the Sargasso Sea has a mat of Sargassum approximately 3,520,000 km² in size; which is an area three times the size of South Africa! These naturally occurring floating mats of Sargassum serve as homes to a wide variety of animals, including species of crabs, nudibranchs, shrimp and fish, some of which are endemic to the floating mats. It also serves as a rich nursery area for over 100 species of fish and protection for juvenile sea turtles, once they are in the water. Even sea birds feed and rest on the mats, while this floating ecosystem also attracts important commercial and game fish exploited by humans, such as dolphinfish or mahi-mahi, marlin and tuna. Locals often claim that it is the ocean purging itself. Very little is actually known about it but it has been suggested that changing temperatures and currents altering the Doldrums (yes they are real!) may be the cause. In summary, the mats of Sargassum weed washing up on Caribbean shores are a natural phenomenon and not a direct result of pollution; and the Sargassum ecosystem is one of the most unique in the world. |
|
0 Comments
We don't think anyone can question Damian's dedication to our guests.... It's offical, we now have a floating barman! Pinot Grigio anyone?  |
RebeccaHi, I'm Rebecca, your hostess aboard 'Second Chance' and this blog author. My husband, Ryan is the Skipper and the 'Commander-in-Chief'. We spend our days sailing the beautiful West Coast of Barbados entertaining our guests, enjoying their company and enjoying life and we'd love you to join us x 
Site Linkswww.islandstore.net
www.theorangestreetgrocer.com www.atlantishotelbarbados.com www.littlegoodharbour.com www.beachviewbarbados.com www.bajanservices.com www.hiltonbarbadoshotel.com www.barbadosweddings.net www.barbadosweddings.com Blog Links
Archives
October 2016
Categories
All
|
