My wife and I have been taking a winter vacationto South Florida since 2014. Aside from the debris, the beaches have always been very enjoyable, the water clear and blue. What a difference we found this year!
A Shocking Surprise
A Problem For Some Time
Apparently the Sargassum invasion began last year. The Miami Herald reported on July 3, 2018 that seaweed was washing up in mass on South Florida beaches. Professor Chuanmin Hu at the College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, says no one knows where it all came from.
Speculation As To Origins
Speculation is several things may have contributed to this out of control growth of Sargassum. Some of those mentioned are phosphorus sands from the Sahara Desert, fertilizer and silt from river runoff and rising ocean temperatures. According to Juliet Lamb in a piece on the daily.stor.org new hotspots for Sargassum growth have been spotted along the West African coast, at the mouth the Amazon River off the coast of Brazil and in northwestern Gulf of Mexico.
Hazards Among The “Sargassum”
Relief In 2019?
There does not appear to be any relief in sight for 2019. Ron Brackett of weather.com stated in an article on January 24, 2019 that researchers say Sargassum blooms this year could top those of 2018.
Call Before You Go!
If you are planning a vacation to Florida (or the Caribbean) I would call ahead to find out what the conditions are on the beaches you plan to visit. Don’t let Sargassum spoil your vacation!
Update On Seaweed Invasion:
A storm came through on March 19,2019 and the Sargassum seaweed seems to have abated somewhat. Time will tell if it is a temporary relief or the end of this menacing issue.
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Great content! Keep up the good work!