Coastline: in Martinique, the return of sargassum raises the anger of the inhabitants

Sargassum is back in Martinique. Brown seaweed arrives with the currents of the Atlantic. Washed up on the beaches, they produce hydrogen sulphide, an annoying toxic gas, recently leading a woman to the hospital. To reassure the inhabitants of the affected municipalities, free consultations are offered, in order to measure the possible health consequences for humans.

A school had to close

For 12 years, brown algae have regularly appeared on the coast of the French West Indies. Their foul fumes recently led to the closure of a school. They are also a scourge for biodiversity and tourism. Jean Egremonte’s boat cannot therefore go offshore. “If you leave with the sargassum, you have small particles that enter the engine cooling water”he says. “We still need resources. The state must come to the aid of cities”insists Tony Davidas, deputy mayor of Vauclin (Martinique).