The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of the Environment has announced the launch of a nationwide operation to mitigate the impact of sargassum seaweed, following the detection of a massive bloom along the eastern region of the country.
This initiative follows Resolution 0046-2025, which regulates the collection, containment, and sustainable management of the seaweed, according to an official statement from the ministry.
The operation includes technical inspections of hotel properties between Uvero Alto and Cabeza de Toro, environmental impact assessments, and the management of temporary collection sites, authorities said.
Minister of the Environment Paíno Henríquez stated that the government is working on international partnerships to install containment barriers and implement a satellite monitoring system to better track the sargassum blooms.
The Ministry also called on the private sector, multilateral organizations, and local communities to collaborate in confronting this natural phenomenon.
A few weeks earlier, President Luis Abinader advocated for a coordinated, regional response to the growing sargassum threat in the Caribbean during the United Nations Ocean Conference.
Current Situation: Sargassum in the Dominican Republic (July 2025)
Latest photos and reports from Facebook group: Dominican Republic Sargassum Seaweed Reports (Punta Cana, Cabarete, etc.)
An estimated 31 million tons of sargassum are currently approaching the Caribbean, affecting many coastal areas in the region, including the Dominican Republic.
Most Affected Areas:
- Eastern coast, particularly:
- Uvero Alto
- Cabeza de Toro
- Punta Cana
- Bávaro
- Macao
- Parts of the Southeast Coast (Bayahibe, La Romana) have also started to report increased seaweed accumulation.
Beaches in these zones are experiencing significant buildup of sargassum, impacting tourism, marine life, and coastal ecosystems. Many hotels and resorts are implementing cleanup operations, while some have reported short-term closures or restricted beach access.
The government’s efforts to combat the influx include daily removal operations, investments in barriers and monitoring systems, and calls for regional cooperation across the Caribbean.
