Mick Jagger's exclusive retreat on the Caribbean island of Mustique is currently being blighted by significant amounts of washed-up seaweed, a phenomenon also featured in David Attenborough's 'Blue Planet III' documentary. The Rolling Stones frontman has reportedly been dismayed by the persistent issue, which sees tons of sargassum algae accumulating on the beaches nightly.
A source close to Jagger described the situation as "relentless," explaining that the seaweed traps debris such as bottles, flip-flops, and diapers, creating a foul odor. It also attracts swarms of midges. "You have to hire someone to dig trenches at dawn every morning to bury it and repeat every day," the source stated. The algae is also present in the sea, making swimming unpleasant.
The problem is exacerbated during the summer months, and Jagger, who typically visits for a festive break, will be hoping for an improvement by his planned arrival next month. He purchased the Mustique property, Stargroves, in 1983 and has expanded his holdings to accommodate his large family, including his fiancée Melanie Hamrick and their son, as well as his adult children and grandchildren.
Mustique has long been a favored destination for the wealthy and famous, with Princess Margaret also owning a villa on the island. The current sargassum bloom is part of the "Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt," a massive algal formation that stretches from West Africa to the Caribbean. This bloom, estimated to weigh 33 million tons, first emerged around 2010 and is believed to be fueled by factors such as agricultural runoff and deforestation.