Huge quantities of algae were washed on the coast of the exotic paradise of Samana in the Dominican Republic, disrupting tourism and affecting local businesses.

It is a “Sargassum Algae”, a kind of brown algae found in large quantities in the Sargassian sea, in the middle of the North Atlantic, which is surrounded by sea streams.

This type of algae is not harmful to man and is an important habitat for fish and other sea creatures, providing food and shelter.

For locals, however, dealing almost exclusively with tourism, their algae invasion creates major problems

Sargassum has increasingly affected the beaches and coastal communities of the Dominican Republic since 2018, especially in popular spots such as Samana.

Boat operators and guides reported a sharp fall in tourists, with visitors avoiding the beaches covered with decomposed algae.

“We almost don’t take excursions. See the boats stuck there. People come, see all this, there is the bad smell of algae and they are just turning and leaving, ”said one businessman.