Sargassum Seaweed Covering Miami Beaches In A Record Amount
Sargassum seaweed has recently invaded the beach destinations of Cancun and Puerto Rico and Miami are the latest to be added to the list. A record amount of seaweed has washed up on Miami beaches, impacting the area both in terms of smell and presence covering the white sand and pristine water.
Just this past June, over 24 tons of this seaweed were collected across the Atlantic coast, smashing the record of the previous year. Whilst the seaweed itself cannot harm your health, there are creatures that attach to the seaweed and can cause skin irritation.
Due to the invasion and massive amounts of sargassum seaweed on its beaches, Miami-Dade county recently published guidelines on its official website. A few of the most important facts include:
- Miami’s seaweed season is from March through October and there are two tides per day which can bring the seaweed to the shoreline.
- Early in the morning Miami-Dade Parks workers to clean the 17 miles of coastline before beachgoers arrive to clean the seaweed.
- Beachgoers should avoid to their best ability touching the seaweed to not experience any rashes or blisters on the skin.
- Visitors with asthma or breathing illnesses should take precautions as when sargassum decomposes it gives off hydrogen sulfide. Current levels are not considered harmful.
- Due to turtle nesting season which takes place during the same period, special permits are required to remove the seaweed.
- Once the seaweed reaches the shoreline it is removed and transported to a special landfill where it dries and is composted and recycled into fertilizer.
