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Tons of sargassum seaweed have been invading the most well-liked seashores, including top destinations like Cancun and Puerto Rico, and ruining vacationers’ holidays— or at the very least their seaside expectations.
These algae have additionally arrived in South Florida. Miami Beach has been one of many locations the place the sargassum has coated its white sand and pristine water, annoying vacationers with its scent and ugly presence.
Only in June, greater than 24 tons of this seaweed have been collected throughout the Atlantic coast, a report excessive in comparison with the earlier yr.
NBC News Channel interviewed beachgoers in Miami that weren’t impressed by the sargassum. Tana Suarez had spent a while on the seaside this week and tried to swim however mentioned: “It’s all over the place. We tried to go farther but the farther you get the more seaweed you’re gonna get all over.”
Gigi Rodriguez, one other frequent customer mentioned: “I’ve never seen it like this. Never.” Seasonal seaweed has been reaching the coast of Florida for a very long time and has been considerably rising since 2011, nevertheless it has significantly elevated its measurement and presence this yr.
The giant quantities of sargassum throughout the Atlantic have been inflicting concern amongst authorities and consultants worldwide.
What Travelers Must Know About Seaweed In Miami
The Miami-Dade county not too long ago printed pointers and related details about the sargassum seaweed on their official website. These are crucial information and suggestions for vacationers:
- Seaweed season in Miami is from March by October.
- Coastal areas worldwide expertise two tides per day. The second tide arrives within the afternoon and, if there’s wind, it could actually convey the seaweed to the shoreline.
- Authorities and employees at Miami-Dade Parks deal with the sargassum very early within the morning earlier than beachgoers arrive. So, if you’re in Miami, the very best time to go to the seaside could be within the morning after the seaweed has been cleaned out.
- According to consultants, the nice sargassum belt could possibly be the “new norm” and must be anticipated within the following years. Miami lovers ought to take into account the sargassum season when planning their journeys to this fascinating vacation spot.
- The seaweed itself can’t hurt individuals, however small creatures dwelling in it could actually trigger rashes or blisters on the pores and skin. Travelers ought to keep away from touching it.
- When sargassum decomposes it provides off hydrogen sulfide, a substance that smells like rotten eggs and may irritate the eyes, nostril, and throat. Visitors with bronchial asthma or respiratory diseases ought to take precautions though the present ranges of hydrogen sulfide on the seaside will not be thought of dangerous.
- Special permits are required to handle this seaweed on the seaside because it may have an effect on turtle nesting season which takes place throughout the identical interval. Before the cleansing operation of the 17 miles of shoreline begins each morning, the Miami Dade County Parks’ Sea Turtle crew should survey and mark sea turtle nests for his or her safety.
- The sargassum can’t be faraway from the water earlier than it reaches the shoreline. The water is beneath the jurisdiction of the Department of Environmental Resource Management and the “The Sargassum Fishery Management Plan” accredited in 2003 prohibits and limits the seaweed harvest.
- The seaweed eliminated is transported to a particular landfill the place it dries and is composted and recycled into fertilizer.
- Radical measures to keep away from or take away sargassum from the shoreline can’t be taken contemplating that this seaweed supplies essential habitat for a lot of species together with sea turtles.
Travelers should take into account these algae when planning their holidays and perceive that the sargassum belt is right here to remain. It not solely impacts the coast of Florida. Other locations like Cancun, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Barbados have seashores coated by this seaweed as properly.
It is a world matter and organizations the world over, together with the United Nations, are engaged on sustainable options to comprise and scale back seaweed development.
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