Sargassum seaweed map florida. 1 percent of the water’s surface, says Chuanmin Hu .

Sargassum seaweed map florida The Atlantic seaweed known as sargassum will be coming ashore and may be particularly plentiful this year. Sargassum is a brown macroalgae (also known as seaweed) that floats on the surface of the ocean and provides a critical habitat for fish and sea turtles; however, Sargassum can pose a problem when it blooms in mass quantities and washes up on beaches. Bladder and blade attributes Apr 24, 2023 · Sargassum seaweed in the tropical Atlantic piles into a giant windrow beneath the ITCZ in spring. Scientists said Mar 15, 2023 · WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. May 24, 2023 · Sargassum, a type of seaweed, is critical for marine life but is growing aggressively closer to shores. Sargassum seaweed, originally beneficial to the marine ecosystem, has been spreading dangerously since 2011 due to human pollution. April 30, 2023, by University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab (bbarnes4@usf. Under optimal conditions, they can double in volume in a week ! Sargassum fluitans have thorny stems whereas, Sargassum natans have smooth stems. Based on current forecasts from “HYCOM” and wind forecasts from “NCEP”, it […] When significant amounts of sargassum are present, persisting conditions can form large accumulations along beaches and coastlines throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Texas, and Florida, including Hallandale Beach. Sargassum can pose a problem when it blooms in mass quantities and washes up on beaches. It can wash up on Florida beaches, the Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean islands. […] May 3, 2023 · Sargassum seaweed around the Caribbean, along the ocean side of Florida Keys and east coast of Florida are inevitable. Dr. October 4th, 2022, by University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab (bbarnes4@usf. Nov 6, 2024 · Sargassum seaweed arrives in waves, depending on wind direction and currents. Apr 7, 2023 · Sargassum seaweed started washing up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in mid-March 2023. Southwest Florida has seen it happen nearly every year for the past decade, but this year it’s enormous. Chuanmin Hu, University of South Florida College of Marine Science This year's bloom is the biggest on record for the month of March, and it's expected to grow from here, peaking in June or July. We will keep a close eye on how Sargassum in the CS and the tropical Atlantic may evolve in the next two months. Petersburg with tracking an ever-growing accumulation of what most people refer to as seaweed. Mar 17, 2023 · The seaweed “blob” has been dubbed the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, and though it’s sprawling, the algae in the belt cover only about 0. Mar 14, 2023 · This map from the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Laboratory shows the sargassum bloom as of February 2023. Atlantic Caribbean; Florida USA; massive arrivals of Mar 16, 2023 · As you likely continue to hear about the sargassum floating in the Atlantic Ocean, a 5,500-mile seaweed belt, Fox 4 wants to remind you Florida Gulf Coast University Water School’s professor Dr According to the Florida Department of Health Although the seaweed itself cannot harm people, tiny sea creatures that live in sargassum can cause skin rashes and blisters. As a massive blob of sargassum continues to grow at sea Apr 21, 2024 · Another huge patch of seaweed from the Sargasso Sea is floating towards Caribbean and South Florida beaches. Mar 15, 2023 · In the open sea, healthy patches of sargassum can soak up carbon dioxide and serve as a critical habitat for fish, crabs, shrimp, turtles and birds. (Video from April 2023) Microsoft Word - FAQ_Sargassum_ExLeadApproved03032020_UPDATE03172023. edu) The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing higher values. Daily seaweed updates and photos by locals and tourists visiting Florida beaches. Sargassum seaweed is a type of brown algae that has been causing concerns in recent years due to its increased occurrence in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean. Therefore, sometimes it may not be possible to describe trajectories in advance, but rather a Sargassum is large brown seaweed (a type of algae) that floats in island-like masses and never attaches to the seafloor. Leatherback, Kemp Ridley and Green sea turtles, all endangered species, and Loggerheads, which are threatened, use Florida’s beaches to lay their eggs. Scientists say seaweed is likely to come ashore by summer to create a rotting, stinking, scourge. Let us guide you to unforgettable beach getaways by highlighting tourist accomodations that are in unaffected areas […] Mar 16, 2023 · A satellite-based map shows the Sargassum bloom approaching Florida, from March 7-13, 2023. Apr 12, 2023 · The sargassum invasion is a stark reminder of the complex and interconnected consequences of human activities on our planet’s ecosystems. On shore, sargassum is a nuisance — carpeting beaches and releasing a pungent smell as it decays. Apr 12, 2023 · ESA's Sentinel-2 satellite is tracking what may be the largest bloom of Sargassum seaweed ever recorded as it drifts toward the US East Coast, threatening to dump millions of tons of rotting May 24, 2023 · Sargassum, a type of seaweed, is critical for marine life but is growing aggressively closer to shores. An unwelcome visitor is headed for Florida and the Caribbean: huge floating mats of sargassum, or free-floating brown seaweed. But this year’s bloom Mar 17, 2023 · A beachgoer stands near seaweed that washed ashore on March 16, 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Apr 3, 2023 · This map from the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Laboratory shows the sargassum bloom as of March 2023. Monthly bulletins from the University of South Florida suggest there’s a significant amount of the seaweed around beaches this year Mar 18, 2023 · Sargassum — the specific variety of seaweed — has long formed large blooms in the Atlantic Ocean, and scientists have been tracking massive accumulations since 2011. Where will the seaweed blob go? Jun 23, 2023 · Scientists have also been tracking sargassum in great detail. edu, yuyuan@usf. edu) The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing high abundance. Jul 17, 2024 · Beyond developing the various processes for converting Sargassum into valuable products, Loretta Roberson, an associate scientist at Marine Biological Laboratory and expert in seaweed biology and cultivation, will work closely with Bhattacharya, Louime, and Daniel Robledo Ramírez, a Sargassum biology researcher and team leader at the Mexican May 1, 2023 · This map from the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Laboratory shows the sargassum bloom as of March 2023. This year the bloom was much larger than normal, and as a result, you can expect to see larger than normal amounts of Sargassum on Jupiter beaches throughout the summer. 6 days ago · These events can cause significant economic, environmental and public health harm. While providing refuge and nourishment in the sea, Sargassum becomes problematic when it reaches coastal areas in excessive amounts, leading to significant environmental, economic, and public health issues. Gluts of coastal seaweed have a damaging influence on the coastal environment. Along with these species, more than 145 invertebrate species such as shrimp, nudibranch, seahorses, crabs, snails and fish have been documented is association with Sargassum. Reports indicate that this summer, a huge mass of sargassum seaweed that has formed in the July 2nd, 2022, by University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab (huc@usf. With the data obtained from the sargassum drifters along with satellite data from the University of South Florida, AOML researchers now have the ability to distribute weekly experimental Sargassum Apr 20, 2024 · FLORIDA RESEARCHERS DEVELOPING SYSTEM TO FORECAST WHERE SMELLY SARGASSUM SEAWEED IS HEADED. In September 2022, the overall Sargassum amount in the central Atlantic Ocean continued to decline March 1, 2023, by University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab (bbarnes4@usf. 5 days ago · Atlantic evolution of the Sargassum belt Map provided by Sailgrib. Browse breathtaking photos of sargassum-infested beaches, silent witnesses to the imminent destruction of fragile marine ecosystems. Its increasing presence is creating an unpleasant sme Jun 4, 2024 · NOAA and University of South Florida Since 2011, vast mats of sargassum seaweed have been washing up on Caribbean islands. While the seaweed might look unpleasant and produce an odor, the Florida Health Department says it is largely non-harmful to humans. ” In March 2023, scientists found that the amount of Sargassum floating in the belt was the largest of any March on record. See conditions at Florida beaches: May 29, 2023 · As sargassum seaweed takes over South Florida's beaches by the masses, here is aerial footage from NBC6 chopper footage from the coasts of Miami-Dade and Broward. Red areas have a higher density of seaweed. As it decomposes, it releases a substance called hydrogen sulfide, which has an unpleasant odor, similar to rotten eggs. Jan 1, 2025 · Our map plunges you into the heart of this environmental catastrophe, making you feel the urgency of the situation. Its increasing presence is creating an unpleasant smell for beachgoers in Florida, Mexico Jul 5, 2023 · Coastal risk areas around Florida for sargassum are low with two exceptions, Florida beach live webcams show surf, waves, sargassum seaweed conditions. Roughly May 5, 2023 · This summer, a huge mass of sargassum seaweed that has formed in the Atlantic Ocean is expected along Florida and other coastlines. When significant amounts of sargassum are present, persisting conditions can form large accumulations along beaches and coastlines throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Texas, and Florida, including Hallandale Beach. Scientists are trying to predict where and when it will reach the shore. May 2024 sargassum outlook:Will seaweed on Florida Apr 17, 2024 · Just over a year ago, several Florida beaches w e re inundated by a smelly, irritating seaweed known as sargassum. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images. Brian LaPointe with FAU's Harbor Branch said, "It’s a really good thing when it’s The SEAS Program is an ongoing research effort from Texas A&M Galveston (TAMUG) that specializes in Sargassum seaweed movement and migration patterns, as well as identifying and understanding potential growth factors behind the blooms. edu, huc@usf. Map provided by the Dominican Government and ANAMAR Map validity date: December 01 to […] Mar 16, 2023 · This year’s sargassum seaweed bloom is massive, the largest ever seen for this time of year. The loop current in the Gulf of Mexico Mar 22, 2023 · The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt — as the biomass stretching from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico is called — contains scattered patches of seaweed on the open sea, rather than one Apr 11, 2023 · A tractor plows seaweed that washed ashore onto the beach sand on March 16 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. edu, bbarnes4@usf. These links will take you to live beach cameras at popular Florida beaches so you can see for yourself in real time. Pelagic Sargassum seaweed is a brown macroalgae floating on the ocean surface. Feb 11, 2024 · When will sargassum – the smelly, brown seaweed blob – hit Florida beaches in 2024? 5. Jun 6, 2023 · These maps show sargassum abundance in May from 2011 to 2023, with warm colors representing higher density. Joe Raedle/Getty Images. Here you can find satellite maps and 2024 forecasts of sargassum levels in Florida, Cancun, Mexico, the Caribbean, and of course the US Virgin Islands, as Apr 20, 2023 · Earlier this year, ocean scientists raised an alert about the large amount of seaweed drifting in the tropical Atlantic this spring. ” July 31, 2023, by University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab (bbarnes4@usf. Official Map 2024; Sargassum-Free Map; Map 2023; Map 2022; Map 2021; Map 2020; Map 2019; Map 2018; Forecast Menu Toggle. Chuanmin Hu, a professor at the College of Marine Science, takes issue with most publications calling the floating sargassum bloom a “blob. S. Sargassum-Free Hotels Map Welcome to our new Sargassum-Free* Hotels** Map. docx Author: LiehrGA Created Date: 3/17/2023 8:38:07 AM May 1, 2023 · Sargassum masses are threatening Florida's environment and tourist economy 03:16. Algae arrive from the open sea as large rafts (tens of km) after having drifted over long distances, probably from Brazil or the Gulf of Guinea. Stephen P. Read full story: Smelly seaweed bloom heads to Florida Jan 18, 2024 · Researchers at the University of South Florida’s satellite-based Sargassum Watch System said last year’s sargassum bloom was so big it posed challenges on a hemispheric scale for marine ecosystems and coastal towns in terms of tourism, fishing, and marine life. The phenomenon has been Apr 1, 2021 · A recently published paper presents the Sargassum Inundation Report (SIR), a product that uses a satellite-based methodology to monitor from space areas with coastal inundation of pelagic Sargassum in the tropical Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Sargassum includes pelagic species of brown seaweed (macroalgae) that originate offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and float on the ocean surface. 5 million metric tons in 2023 and is known as sargassum Apr 16, 2024 · The latest: Weather coverage from WPBF 25 News This seaweed provides a habitat for sea turtles and even fish. For a number of years now, Sargassum has been washing ashore in massive quantities on Caribbean coasts, making it a nightmare for beachgoers and a threat to sea animals in shallow waters. The Sargassum Watch System (SaWS) is designed to use satellite data and numerical models to detect and track pelagic Saragassum in near-real time. The western and eastern Atlantic regions may see slightly increased Sargassum, but month-to-month fluctuations may also occur due to multiple factors. As for May 16, the situation isn’t critical in any of the parts of Florida. 3, 2022. On shore, they pile up into a dead and stinky mass. The bloom’s size in recent years would have been Know Sargassum; Sargassum for Dummies; Maps Menu Toggle. For hotels and resorts, clearing the stuff off beaches can amount to a round-the-clock operation. . The SIR was created as a response to the need to improve the monitoring and management of Sargassum influxes (e. has cycled from West Africa to Florida, threatening beaches from Martinique to Miami. Jul 4, 2023 · Continued tracking of sargassum movement by the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab indicates an unexpected 15 percent decline in the quantity of sargassum in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (extending from west Africa to the Gulf of Mexico) during the month of May 2023, compared to April 2023. Is the sargassum seaweed a 5,000-mile 'blob'? Oct 19, 2022 · Written by Emily Noakes, SECOORA Communications Intern. Mona Webber (Director, Centre for Marine Sciences, The UWI Mona), she noted that scientists in Florida reported that the 2023 sargassum season is expected to be the worst on record. edu, and szhang26@usf. Mar 17, 2023 · The truth is that the weed, called sargassum, is an extremely important part of the Gulf’s ecosystem, especially for the endangered sea turtles that use the beach to nest. com Latest Map from USF – SaWS Legend of the USF-SaWS Map : Images are an interpretation of satellite images. The size of this upcoming summer’s fledgling bloom is already setting records. The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt - as the biomass stretching from West Africa to the Gulf Mar 18, 2023 · For the past seven years, national agencies have tasked researchers at the University of South Florida St. (1) Sargassum Mar 15, 2023 · A 5,000-mile-wide sargassum seaweed bloom is heading toward Florida and the Caribbean. Last year, red tide and the seaweed blob foiled Florida beach goers' plans. 5 million metric tons of sargassum were detected in the central Atlantic in January, according to the Apr 20, 2023 · “The sargassum accumulates in less than 24 hours in mounds 70 to 90 centimeters high,” Semar said, covering almost the entire beach area and making it impossible to move on foot or with Jun 28, 2023 · But while the arrival of sargassum on beaches isn't unusual at this time of year, the enormous seaweed mats cleaving off the belt and washing ashore on the beaches of Florida and Mexico recently Sargassum seaweed, originally beneficial to the marine ecosystem, has been spreading dangerously since 2011 due to human pollution. These Jul 6, 2024 · Florida’s coast will be covered by seaweed this summer. pictured in the map below, could be an estimated 13. The areas at high risk of getting sargassum are highlighted in red. To stay up to date on the sargassum forecast and outlook in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, check out the University of South Florida’s Satellite-based Sargassum Watch System (SaWS) report. The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt - as the biomass stretching from West Africa to the Gulf May 1, 2023 · This map from the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Laboratory shows the sargassum bloom as of March 2023. South Florida has been experiencing blooms of sargassum seaweed for many years. Large rafts of Sargassum are common to a region known as the Sargasso Sea. Apr 4, 2023 · What research does NOAA CoastWatch or other parts of NOAA currently conduct on Sargassum?. In 2024, South Florida experienced a record-breaking May 11, 2023 · A map showing the Sargasso Sea and the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. Dec 6, 2024 · Punta Cana – Bayahibe – Isla Saona – Samana – Cap Cana – Haiti Map provided by CARICOOS Updated on January 10, 2025 CARICOOS is the regional association for the coastal and ocean observing system for Puerto Rico and the U. Accordingly, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has been issuing sargassum advisories in a daily newspaper. Overall, the Sargassum quantity in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (extending from west Africa to the Gulf of Patches of floating brown seaweed—known as Sargassum—have stretched from the west coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico in what is known as the “Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. Sargassum provides valuable habitat for many animals including fish, sea turtles, marine birds, crabs and shrimp. View interactive maps and detailed reports on beaches located in Quintana Roo. What months are best to avoid sargassum seaweed? The amount of sargassum seaweed in Cancun varies by season and even daily. 2024 Sargassum seaweed forecast map & reports. It's goal is to provide scientists and other interested parties the ability to track Saragassum in near-real time. The official Sargassum map 2022 bears witness to this Sargassum seaweed phenomenon, which is not natural but a consequence of human pollution. The sargassum, a naturally occurring type of macroalgae, spans Jan 2, 2025 · How are Sargassum stranding forecasts calculated ? Sargassum movement forecasting method : Each red dot corresponds to a sargassum patch identified by the “AFAI” thanks to satellites. It’s located very near the equator in this animation of weather analysis data from April, 19, 2023, but it will migrate northward as summer approaches, bringing more Sargassum into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. When it reaches the coasts of 30 countries to date, it decomposes and decimates fauna, flora and coral, with serious consequences for the environment, the economy and health. Mar 16, 2023 · A satellite-based map shows the Sargassum bloom approaching Florida, from March 7-13, 2023. , 2019, CC BY. Tiny creatures that are known to bury in globs can produce rashes and blisters if contact is made with the skin. Apr 4, 2023 · When might we see significant Sargassum inundation in Florida from the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt? (Spring 2023) The motion, extent, and density of Sargassum is very complex - it grows, sinks, and moves according to ocean currents, winds, and waves. But if sargassum moves closer to the coast, the seaweed can wreak havoc on local ecosystems, smothering coral reefs and altering the water's pH balance. Overall, the Sargassum quantity in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (extending from west Africa to the Gulf of Know the Sargassum Seaweed There are dozens of Sargassum algae. Apr 6, 2023 · When will sargassum hit Florida beaches? The summer is usually the height of the seaweed season, but this year it appears to be earlier. This map is your ideal companion in the quest for dream destinations where the beaches are always pristine, and the waters crystal clear, without the inconveniences of sargassum. Beaches most affected by high concentrations of algae include Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Sian Ka’an, and certain areas between Cancun and Puerto Morelos. Sargassum-Free Map; Map 2023; Map 2022; Map 2021; Map 2020; Map 2019; Map 2018; Forecast Menu Toggle. Another issue is that these large blocks of seaweed can block sunlight from entering the water that is vital to any underwater plants survival. We use collaborative target groups and the app “Epicollect5” to collect observational data of both the site and Sargassum species present before being uploaded onto the database. It provides crucial habitat for many marine species, including endangered sea turtles, which, upon hatching on our beaches, make their way out to the sargassum to spend their juvenile years feeding Mar 11, 2023 · Barnes and his University of South Florida colleagues use NASA satellite data to map the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt and its movements. These experimental Sargassum Inundation Risk (SIR) fields provide an overview of the risk of sargassum coastal inundation in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico regions. Experts warned that the region’s annual spring bloom of Sargassum—a free-floating brown macroalgae from the North Atlantic that suddenly appeared in large quantities in the tropics in 2011— was the densest observed in March since scientists began tracking May 9, 2023 · Here are some resorts that clean up sargassum seaweed and the economic impact of seaweed on Florida and Caribbean beaches. The bloom, which may likely be the largest ever recorded, is so large that it’s visible from space. Here's what to know. An April sargassum Outlook of 2024 Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico* February 1, 2024, by University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab (bbarnes4@usf. Hurricane-prone states The day in pictures Get the USA Don't let sargassum ruin your beach day! Find beaches without seaweed in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Atlantic Caribbean; Florida USA; Mexico Riviera Maya; Republica Dominicana – Haiti; Puerto Rico USA; Meteo France; Belize forecast; Jamaica forecast; News; About Us Apr 7, 2023 · An unwelcome visitor is headed for Florida and the Caribbean: huge floating mats of sargassum, or free-floating brown seaweed. This issue has tremendous negative impacts over local communities Mar 14, 2023 · This map from the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Laboratory shows the sargassum bloom as of February 2023. Mar 15, 2023 · Since 2011, a fleet of seaweed patches double the size of the contiguous U. Atlantic Beaches (North to South) The official Sargassum map 2024 bears witness to this Sargassum seaweed phenomenon, which is not natural but a consequence of human pollution. In large quantities, the seaweed strips oxygen from the water, killing fish and seagrasses that offer key habitat for many species. Sargassum clumps Apr 7, 2023 · Patches of floating brown seaweed—known as Sargassum—have stretched from the west coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico in what is known as the “Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. Nearly every year since 2011, sargassum has inundated Caribbean, Gulf It’s an invitation to discover, preserve, and understand the Sargassum bloom that the Atlantic-Caribbean region has been experiencing annually since 2011. More updates Sargassum is a naturally occurring seaweed that floats freely on the ocean surface and can be present in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The seaweed will likely wash up in Florida and leave beaches smelling like rotten eggs. Low sargassum seaweed levels in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico should keep beaches stink-free until Apr 7, 2023 · A large mass of Sargassum ‘seaweed’ circling around the Gulf of Mexico may soon wash up along the US west coast near Florida – depending on the right combination of currents and wind. In an article penned by Prof. In 2018 many beaches on Florida east coast were closed due to red tide, including beaches in Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County and others. Chuanmin Hu, University of South Florida College of Marine Science Cancun – Tulum – Playa del Carmen – Puerto Morelos – Holbox How are Sargassum stranding forecasts calculated ? Sargassum movement forecasting method : Each red dot corresponds to a sargassum patch identified by the “AFAI” thanks to satellites. May 2, 2023 · A massive seaweed bloom expected to grow to record proportions before peaking in June is assaulting Florida beaches in hit or miss fashion depending on the way the wind blows. g. Join us in the quest to preserve our planet and protect our oceans. The NASA images show a map of sargassum density developed Mar 13, 2023 · A large seaweed blob known as “sargassum” is floating toward Florida. Courtesy of the University of Apr 13, 2023 · People visiting Cocoa Beach, Florida said piles of sargassum seaweed weren’t what they expected during a day at the beach. Is the sargassum seaweed a 5,000-mile 'blob'? The goal of the “Sargassum Watch” citizen science project is to monitor the influxes of pelagic Sargassum on local coastal areas in Florida and the Caribbean. We share best practices for preserving coastal sea fauna and flora. We monitor all areas and countries affected by sargassum. This project is called the Sargassum Watch System and is based on derived satellite data. This year, it could grow bigger. Jan 24, 2024 · “A more precise sargassum forecasting system will provide communities in Florida and the Caribbean advanced warning that their beaches may be impacted, and allow them to better prepare for an Apr 9, 2023 · The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt — the official name for the collection of floating brown seaweed that sprawls across 5,000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the west coast of Africa — contained about 13 million tons of seaweed by the end of March, according to researchers at the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab who May 31, 2024 · Here’s what sargassum seaweed is and the best beaches in Florida for avoiding huge piles of the smelly, crunchy brown seaweed this summer. These “berries” are actually gas-filled structures, called pneumatocysts, which are filled mostly with oxygen. Sargassum is a genus of large brown seaweed (a type of algae) with berry-like air bladders that float in island-like masses that never attaches to the seafloor. Apr 23, 2024 · The latest sargassum outlook, issued for March 2023, pegged late May as the timeframe when the southeast coast of Florida, which includes the Florida Keys, will start seeing seaweed appearing in Oct 20, 2019 · Mats of sargassum seaweed are a treasure trove of surprises. #1 resource on Sargassum seaweed blob, update, sargassum-free beaches in Florida, Cancun, Mexico, Caribbean. Jul 7, 2023 · For months, Florida’s usually picturesque coast was plagued by a rotting tangle of seaweed, known as sargassum. Apr 7, 2023 · A 5,000-mile seaweed belt lurking in the Atlantic Ocean has already begun to wash up on Florida beaches. Florida’s 2023 outbreak of red tide hit beaches along Florida’s central and southwest coast, including beaches near Tampa Bay, Sarasota, Anna Maria Island, Sanibel and Captiva Island. , coordinate May 10, 2023 · The unsightly mass of seaweed will bring pungent odors to tourist hotspots, taking a bite out of the local ecosystem and economy. they help fertilize seaweed. Mar 4, 2024 · A woman walks down a relatively seaweed-free Fort Lauderdale beach on Monday, March 1, 2024. The sargassum layer is influenced by environmental conditions in the area, such as currents and winds. In 2019 Miami Date County spent approximately 45 million dollars to clean up all of the sargassum residue on their beaches. This map shows dust from a series of Saharan storms crossing the Atlantic on Oct 2, 2019 · AOML researchers released an assortment of GPS equipped drifters into the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea to study how ocean currents and winds play a role in the distribution of Sargassum. Aug 2, 2021 · Monthly mean sargassum density for the month of July, 2011-2018. Frightening media reports refer to a “giant blob” of seaweed barreling toward Florida. A natural habitat for small marine life, sargassum offers food and shelter to shrimp, molluscs, crustaceans and juvenile turtles. According to the latest update from University of South Florida scientists, Florida will start seeing the peak of the sargassum seaweed invasion in late Mar 8, 2024 · The data on the map below shows weekly beach water quality reports from the Florida Department of Health, and red tide and algal blooms data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Though the sargassum quantity in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (extending from west Africa to the Gulf of Mexico) has increased over time, it actually decreased by 15% from April 2023 to May 2023. Will the same thing happen in 2024? The University of South Florida reported Specifically, in December 2024 the CS and the GoM (including Florida) will continue to be Sargassum free. Using satellite imagery, scientists say it stretches 5,000 miles. Thanks to the Sargassum citizen science network, scientists and researchers have been able to highlight the three models that are invading the Caribbean. After increases in two consecutive months, the overall Sargassum quantity in the central Atlantic Ocean The Sargassum amount will likely continue to increase in the following months, more Sargassum will be found in the GoM, and more beaching events will occur in the Florida Keys and along the east coast of Florida. As sargassum decomposes, it gives off hydrogen sulfide, a substance with unpleasant odor which can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Jun 5, 2023 · In the Caribbean, most sargassum was located around the Lesser Antilles and along the southern coasts ofHispanola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and along the Mexican Caribbean coast. Sep 18, 2019 · Sargassum seaweed, invader of Florida and Caribbean beaches, may be the 'new norm' Apr 19, 2023 · To estimate the amount of Sargassum in the ocean, researchers at the Optical Oceanography Laboratory at the University of South Florida analyzed satellite imagery from a number of sources Unprecedented massive landings of sargassum floating algae have been observed since 2011 along the shorelines of a huge area encompassing the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The seaweed forms large mats that can cover the surface of the water, affecting marine Jan 10, 2024 · In the vastness of the open ocean, Sargassum seaweed, a floating brown macroalgae, forms large mats that serve as crucial habitats for various marine species. May 3, 2023 · Sargassum seaweed around the Caribbean, along the ocean side of Florida Keys and east coast of Florida are inevitable. But those conditions no longer exist. However, accurately predicting which beaches will be affected and to what extent is Apr 9, 2023 · Map showing the sargassum seaweed extent More about Sargassum seaweed. Researchers at NOAA CoastWatch and AOML alongside the University of South Florida developed the experimental Sargassum Inundation Report (SIR) to provide an overview of the extent of Sargassum in the ocean and the risk of Sargassum washing into coastal waters, beaches, and shorelines in the Caribbean Jun 18, 2024 · Sargassum is a floating seaweed that in “normal” environmental conditions, provides food, shelter, and a breeding ground for marine life. (CBS12) — A 5,000-mile-long belt of sargassum seaweed is heading for the state of Florida, according to scientists with the University of South Florida (USF). That’s not quite right Mar 7, 2024 · See maps that show where it is safe to swim and fish in Florida. May 7, 2023 · The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt — the official name for the collection of floating brown seaweed that sprawls across 5,000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the west coast of Africa — contained about 13 million tons of seaweed by the end of March, according to researchers at the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab who May 25, 2023 · Sargassum is a species of large brown seaweed, a type of macroalgae that floats in large masses. This Program was created in 2013 by Robert Webster to help with forecasting large Sargassum landings for Texas. May 25, 2023 · NOAA and USF have created a map of the risk of getting sargassum based on those currents. Updated on January 08, 2025 Sargassum map – Caribbean Sea How are Sargassum stranding forecasts calculated ? Sargassum movement forecasting method : Each red dot corresponds […] SaWS Clickable Map. It also serves Feb 18, 2022 · It’s an invitation to discover, preserve, and understand the Sargassum bloom that the Atlantic-Caribbean region has been experiencing annually since 2011. The official Sargassum map 2023 bears witness to this Sargassum seaweed phenomenon, which is not natural but a consequence of human pollution. Leatherman, Florida International University. Go Back Tropical Storm Alberto forms in the Gulf of Mexico. These organisms include: Sargassum fish, Sargassum sea mat, Sargassum pipefish, Sargassum snail, Sargassum swimming crab, Sargassum nudibranch and Sargassum shrimp. The Sargassum product comes from Coastal Marine Information and Analysis System which uses data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer . In June 2022, the Sargassum amount continued to increase across the tropical Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea Jul 15, 2024 · In 2024, the seaweed season in the Cancun Area is in full swing and sargassum is invading the beaches across the whole Mexican Caribbean coast. Mar 14, 2023 · The mass, known as the great Atlantic Sargassum belt, is drifting toward the Gulf of Mexico. Pelagic Sargassum seaweed (Image courtesy of Tracy Villareal) is a brown macroalgae floating on the ocean surface. Generally, the worst months for seaweed are July and August. For more info visit our website: Apr 7, 2023 · The geostrophic surface currents dictate how the Sargassum travels towards Florida and beyond. Some Florida beaches have blobs of the stinky seaweed Most of the mass, known as the great Atlantic sargassum belt, is headed to the Caribbean Sea, putting small island nations more at risk of the seaweed invasion. May 10, 2023 · One impact of Sargassum is the high cost to clean it up on beaches. Then, as quickly as the stinking mass arrived, it began to disappear. As Sargassum blooms, very large and dense mats of the seaweed may be brought ashore by winds and currents from the Atlantic Ocean. A final and solid resource for real-time sargassum seaweed maps is the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration‘s Ocean Viewer Satellite Seaweed Detection and Monitoring From Space. In 2024, South Florida experienced a record-breaking Mar 22, 2023 · FILE - Workers, who were hired by residents, remove sargassum seaweed from the Bay of Soliman, north of Tulum, Quintana Roo state, Mexico, Aug. SaWS Clickable Map. Wang et al. 1 percent of the water’s surface, says Chuanmin Hu Apr 6, 2023 · When will sargassum hit Florida beaches? The summer is usually the height of the seaweed season, but this year it appears to be earlier. xfxmog eghz upfza grfflq elmk wzjx oqbkp jvpqy ewzo btyr