Sargassum along the coasts of Panama
Sargassum blooms are affecting the Caribbean coastline, and experts and environmental authorities predict that 2026 will be among the worst years on record. These drifting brown algae are part of a wider Atlantic phenomenon, with ecological and socio-economic implications for coastal environments, fisheries, and maritime activity.
Near Colón in northern Panama, floating accumulations of sargassum have appeared in coastal waters, an unusual occurence in a country where the alga’s presence has historically been less widespread than in other parts of the Caribbean.
This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 24 March 2026, shows elongated streaks of Sargassum dispersed across the deep blue waters near the entrance to Limón Bay, Panama. The algae appear as thin, bright green filaments and patches, contrasting with the darker open ocean and the lighter turquoise waters closer to shore.
Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery and Copernicus Marine Service data support the monitoring of Sargassum distribution, helping local authorities track its impacts on coastal environments.
