Sargassum is a brown macroalgae (seaweed) that is a natural part of the marine ecosystem that annually forms large blooms in the Atlantic Ocean. In oceanic currents, drifting sargassum seaweed forms large floating mats that provide food, shelter, and habitat for fisheries, threatened and endangered species such as sea turtles, and many other organisms that reside in our waters year-round. These mats are considered an important natural resource. In Broward County, usually between the months of March through October, seaweed caught in the Gulf Stream current is pushed in by east winds and washes ashore on our beaches, especially during the peak season in June and July. Sargassum along our beaches is a part of a healthy beach ecosystem, providing a food source for shorebirds while trapping sand, reinforcing our dunes and beaches, and increasing the resilience of our shoreline. Best management practices recommend that the Sargassum be left in place to benefit the natural ecosystem, and it is typically removed by natural processes like tides. The County speaks to many property owners, residents, and visitors at outreach events throughout the year about the importance of the beach ecosystem, including seaweed.
In recent years, the increasing amount of Sargassum washing up on beaches in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Florida has become a topic of discussion for beachgoers, tourists, and local communities. This year's bloom is predicted to be large, thinly spread along more than 5,000 miles from the shores of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico. Current satellite imagery suggests above average Sargassum accumulation on Florida beaches this season. It is difficult to predict when and where the seaweed may come ashore due to changes in winds and currents but will likely bring large volumes to Broward and neighboring counties. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updates the current location and volume of Sargassum, which can be accessed on their Weekly Sargassum Inundation Report.
Once onshore, Sargassum is not dangerous to people. The Florida Department of Health has provided a helpful FAQ Sheet that describes what effects Sargassum has on human health. If Sargassum is not naturally pulled offshore by tides, the seaweed decomposes on the beach emitting an obnoxious sulfur smell and may attract flies and other insects. While Broward County's Resilient Environment Department (RED) maintains shoreline protection and coastal resource programs, each municipality and our two State parks manage their beaches. Municipal beach maintenance programs include mechanical beach raking, an activity that is regulated through permits by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The permit conditions aim to protect threatened/endangered sea turtles, shorebirds, and nesting habitat. Methods of Sargassum removal range from composting, burial, and/or disposal inland. If you would like to see live camera coverage of conditions along many of our local beaches, please see the available links on this page. Broward County is working with our regional partners to stay on top of this and provide helpful information to our community.
