The dock at Punta de Maisí, located at Cuba's easternmost tip, was found buried under a fresh and massive layer of sargassum this week. Local resident Alexis Morales documented the scene on Facebook, sharing a series of photographs that clearly depict the beach overwhelmed by the brownish-orange macroalgae.
These images, shared on social media, show between five and six fishing boats stranded on the shore amidst the sargassum, with visible names such as "La Norma," "La Pinta," "Lenida," "La Cañonita," and "La Reina," all immobilized by the algae's accumulation.
"Punta de Maisí dock, yet another massive sargassum arrival. Hopefully, one day we can turn this pollution into useful products, as it is a resource elsewhere," Morales wrote, capturing the frustration of a community recurrently facing this challenge without means to manage it effectively.
The Ongoing Challenge of Sargassum in Eastern Cuba
Punta de Maisí, the easternmost point of Cuba, is particularly vulnerable to large sargassum arrivals due to its direct exposure to the tropical Atlantic and the Caribbean. The local economy heavily relies on artisanal fishing, which comes to a halt whenever the algae block access to the sea.
This phenomenon is not new to the province. In June 2025, a massive invasion affected the entire Guantánamo coastline, impacting areas such as Baitiquirí, El Guanal, Baracoa, San Antonio del Sur, and Yateritas, among others. During that emergency, CITMA issued a maximum alert due to health risks from the algae's decomposition, which releases hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, gases capable of causing eye irritation, nausea, dizziness, and respiratory issues.
In Baitiquirí Bay, residents reported headaches and nausea due to the decomposing sargassum, with no local means to address the situation.
Regional and International Responses
The regional outlook worsens Cuba’s situation. Satellite images from May 2025 revealed a record biomass of 38 million tons of sargassum floating between Africa and the Caribbean, according to the University of South Florida and NASA. The 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most intense on record.
While countries like Mexico have deployed 16 surface units and 9,500 meters of containment barriers in Quintana Roo alone at the start of 2026, Cuba lacks the technical and economic resources to respond on such a scale.
In September 2025, the island joined a Caribbean regional plan against sargassum with European support. However, implementing concrete solutions, such as converting the algae into bio-fertilizers, biogas, or construction materials, remains virtually non-existent in the national territory.
The Guantánamo Fishing Company has previously noted that sargassum hampers artisanal fishing, reduces beach recreation, and impacts the coastal economy—a cycle that the residents of Punta de Maisí are experiencing once again this season, with no solutions in sight.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sargassum in Guantánamo
What is causing the sargassum influx in Guantánamo?
The influx is mainly due to Punta de Maisí's direct exposure to the tropical Atlantic and the Caribbean, which makes it vulnerable to large sargassum arrivals.
How does the sargassum affect the local economy in Punta de Maisí?
The local economy, heavily reliant on artisanal fishing, is disrupted as the algae block access to the sea. This also reduces beach recreation and hampers the coastal economy.
What health risks are associated with decomposing sargassum?
Decomposing sargassum releases hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, which can cause eye irritation, nausea, dizziness, and respiratory issues.