The Dominican Republic Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCyT) has allocated 1.2 million US dollars to fight the growth of the sargassum seaweed on its beaches. The funding is provided through the National Fund for Scientific Development and Technological Innovation (Fondocyt).
The project is designed to work with local and international agencies to predict the influx of this form of algae and decide what to do with it! The Dominican Republic is on the edge of the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic, along with other Caribbean islands and Mexico. The floating sargassum seaweed is normally home to many forms of sea life, including microscopic organisms. It dries out when it lands on beaches and ceases to support sea life. It does attract flies and other insects. In addition, it does not smell good!
Resorts in Punta Cana and other D.R. beaches routinely rake and sweep the seaweed off of their otherwise pristine beaches. Another problem is what to do with the dried seaweed.
Recycling Sargassum
According to Dr. Franklin García Fermín, head of MESCyT, this investment has resulted in articles in 16 scientific publications along with three patent applications for using the seaweed. He added that Dominican research has a patent focused on making biofuels from sargassum. The result is the successful production of bioethanol and biogas.
Further research is underway to determine how sargassum can be recycled for use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, construction materials, soil fertilizer, bioplastics, and other composites. The unsightly seaweed can become a useful natural resource.
Recent Reporting
July 1, 2024
June 30, 2024
The beaches at Punta Cana and other DR resorts have not experienced a heavy influx of sargassum this past winter. However, the seaweed is most prevalent during the summer when the water is warmer. See our updated information on sargassum in the DR.
Efforts by the D.R. to monitor and find uses for sargassum show that this country takes aggressive action to ensure that its beach resorts are some of the best in the Caribbean.