Decline in Sargassum Blooms Brings Relief for Antigua and BarbudaST. JOHN’S, Antigua (Oct. 1, 2025) — Antigua and Barbuda is seeing welcome relief from heavy sargassum influxes, with satellite images showing a sharp decline in seaweed levels across the Caribbean after peaking earlier this year. The University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab reported that sargassum reached 38 million metric tons in July but dropped to 10.4 million metric tons by September. Marine officials said the country remains in the decline phase of the 2025 season. Beaches and cultural sites, including Nelson Dockyard National Park, have experienced visible impacts from sargassum landings this year, underscoring both economic and ecological challenges. Sargassum blooms, which have affected Antigua, Barbuda, and other Caribbean islands since 2011, are linked to climate change and poor resource management, scientists said.