SEIZED LAST YEAR. GLOBS OF BROWN STINKY SEAWEED ARE NOW WASHING ASHORE IN CENTRAL, FLORIDA SARGASSUM. SEAWEED STARTING TO PILE UP ALONG BREVARD COUNTY BEACHES WEST CHOOS LIVE JOHNSON EXPLAINS HOW THE COUNTY PLANS TO DEAL WITH THE BLOOM. IT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE SPENDING THE DAY AT COCOA BEACH NOTICED ON WEDNESDAY THE WIND AND THE WAVES ARE REALLY PUSHING IN. COME TO SEAWEED. I WAS WALKING OVER THERE AND I STEPPED ON AND IT WAS LIKE REALLY LIKE MOSSY AND GROSS AND IT’S NOT JUST ANY SEAWEED. IT’S SARGASM A LARGE BROWN SEAWEED THAT NEVER ATTACHES TO THE SEA FLOOR. IT’S NOTHING NEW TO FLORIDA BEACHES, BUT THIS YEAR IT’S EXPECTED TO STRETCH 5,000 MILES. IT IS ANTICIP. A GROWING PROBLEM THIS YEAR A GROWING. PROBLEM NOT JUST BECAUSE OF THE LOOK AND THE SMELL OFTEN COMPARED TO THE STENCH OF ROTTEN EGGS, BUT ALSO BECAUSE THE CLUMPS OF SEAWEED COULD THREATEN TURTLENESS SMALL MARINE ANIMALS LIVING IN THE SEAWEED CAN ALSO CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION AND ITCHING BREVARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SAY THEY’RE COMING UP WITH A CLEANUP PLAN IN CASE THE SARGASM BEGINS TO OVERWHELM THE BEACHES. WE’RE TALKING WITH THE KEEPER OF ART BEAUTIFUL AND WE ARE ACTUALLY STARTING A MONITORING PROGRAM FOR FOR TURTLE NESTING. WE DON’T KNOW IF WEED MIGHT BE COME UP. I LOVE COMING TO THE BEACH. WE WANT TO KEEP IT NICE AND CLEAN BUT DO IT. NO WAY THAT PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT. WE DON’T WANT CHEMICALS OR ANYTHING TO XIC THE EARTH. WE SPOKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF KEEP, BREVARD COUNTY. BUT HE SAYS IF CLEANUP BECOMES NECESSARY, THEY WILL LIKELY USE VOLUNTEERS AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT TO MOVE THE SEAWEED
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Giant seaweed blob hits Central Florida beaches
Lobs of brown, stinky seaweed are now washing ashore in Central Florida.It’s something people spending the day at Cocoa Beach noticed on Wednesday."The wind and the waves are really pushing in tons of seaweed," beachgoer James Smith said."I was walking over there and I stepped on it and it was really mossy and gross," Smith's daughter, Savannah Smith, said.It’s not just any seaweed. It’s sargassum – a large brown seaweed that never attaches to the sea floor. It’s nothing new to Florida beaches, but this year, it’s expected to stretch 5,000 miles. "It’s anticipated to be a growing problem this year," said Brevard County Manager Frank Abbate.A growing problem not just because of the look and the smell – often compared to the stench of rotten eggs – but also because the clumps of seaweed could threaten turtle nests. Small marine animals living in the seaweed can also cause skin irritation and itching. Brevard County commissioners say they’re coming up with a cleanup plan in case the sargassum begins to overwhelm the beaches. "We’re talking with Keep Brevard Beautiful and starting a monitoring program for turtle nesting,” Abbate said.Beachgoers WESH spoke with said they want it to be cleaned up in an environmentally friendly way."I love coming to the beach. I want to keep it nice and clean but do it in a way that protects the environment," said Richard, who was visiting Cocoa Beach on Wednesday. "We don’t want chemicals or anything toxic that could hurt the earth," Savannah Smith said.The executive director of Keep Brevard County Beautiful said if cleanup becomes necessary, they will likely use volunteers and heavy equipment to move the seaweed. Top stories:Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell missing in Daytona BeachTiki bar goes up in flames in New Smyrna BeachGiant seaweed blob hits Central Florida beaches
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. —
Lobs of brown, stinky seaweed are now washing ashore in Central Florida.
It’s something people spending the day at Cocoa Beach noticed on Wednesday.
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"The wind and the waves are really pushing in tons of seaweed," beachgoer James Smith said.
"I was walking over there and I stepped on it and it was really mossy and gross," Smith's daughter, Savannah Smith, said.
It’s not just any seaweed. It’s sargassum – a large brown seaweed that never attaches to the sea floor. It’s nothing new to Florida beaches, but this year, it’s expected to stretch 5,000 miles.
"It’s anticipated to be a growing problem this year," said Brevard County Manager Frank Abbate.
A growing problem not just because of the look and the smell – often compared to the stench of rotten eggs – but also because the clumps of seaweed could threaten turtle nests. Small marine animals living in the seaweed can also cause skin irritation and itching.
Brevard County commissioners say they’re coming up with a cleanup plan in case the sargassum begins to overwhelm the beaches.
"We’re talking with Keep Brevard Beautiful and starting a monitoring program for turtle nesting,” Abbate said.
Beachgoers WESH spoke with said they want it to be cleaned up in an environmentally friendly way.
"I love coming to the beach. I want to keep it nice and clean but do it in a way that protects the environment," said Richard, who was visiting Cocoa Beach on Wednesday.
"We don’t want chemicals or anything toxic that could hurt the earth," Savannah Smith said.
The executive director of Keep Brevard County Beautiful said if cleanup becomes necessary, they will likely use volunteers and heavy equipment to move the seaweed.
Top stories:
- Former Nickelodeon star Drake Bell missing in Daytona Beach
- Tiki bar goes up in flames in New Smyrna Beach
- Giant seaweed blob hits Central Florida beaches
