Sargassum occurs. "Sargassum muticum" is a large brown seaweed of the class Phaeophyceae. It grows attached to rocks by a perennial holdfast up to 5 cm in diameter. From this holdfast the main axis grows to a maximum of 5 cm high. The leaf-like laminae and primary lateral branches grow from this stipe. In warm waters, it can grow to 12 m long, however in British waters it gives rise to a single main axis with secondary and tertiary branches that the plant sheds annually. Numerous small 2–6 mm stalked air vesicles provide buoyancy. The reproductive receptacles are also stalked, and
Sargassum in Guadeloupe recorded 52 patients as having "Sargassum"-related symptoms. Insurance problems arise for tourist operators and homeowners, where the household and business losses do not fall into previous insurance categories. Wildlife also suffer; for example, sea turtle hatchlings die on their way to open water. The affected countries and territories are discussing causes of the outbreak, potential solutions, and the negative effects on tourism. One method of cleaning is by spade and barrow onshore, and it can be collected by raking boats offshore. Barrages of shallow nets floated by long buoys can be used to ward off algae drifts, depending