Behind massive seaweed belt headed for some Atlantic beaches

(Loop News) A 5,000-mile seaweed belt lurking in the Atlantic Ocean is expected in the next few months to wash onto beaches in the Caribbean Sea, South Florida, and the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.

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 continuous blob of sargassum. It’s not a new occurrence, but satellite images captured in February showed an earlier start than usual for such a large accumulation in the open ocean.

“In this issue of sargassum that is plaguing our country, we have launched a test pilot project to capture sargassum on the waters. If it works in San Pedro and Caye Caulker, we’ll look at it as a national project” – Hon. Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation pic.twitter.com/rTqcF6IEhs

— Government of Belize Press Office (@gobpressoffice) March 23, 2023

Once it washes ashore, sargassum is a nuisance — a thick, brown algae that carpets beaches, releasing a pungent smell as it decays and ensnares humans and animals who step into it. For hotels and resorts, clearing the stuff off beaches can amount to a round-the-clock operation.

Read more at: Loop News