Sargassum seaweed 2020 forecast gulf of mexico The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing higher values. BIOMASS FROM SARGASSUM SEAWEED. Each square box of color represents an area 0. A report by Brigitta Ine van Tussenbroek, an ocean researcher from the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology on the Nationwide Autonomous College (UNAM) urged giant portions of sargassum seaweed would return to Mexico’s Caribbean coast. 1 Sargasso influx composition 12 2. Nov 18, 2024 · Since 2011, the reoccurrence of massive Sargassum inundation events (SIEs) has hurt economies around the tropical Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico by forcing businesses and governments to incur costs associated with beach cleanup, and reducing commercial and recreational fishing, as well as tourism and recreation. May 1, 2023 · Finding sufficient nutrients and more sunlight than it receives at higher latitudes, the seaweed flourished. sargassum since 2011, which they named the "Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. But this year researchers have been keeping a close eye on satellite images showing a massive body of sargassum traveling from West Africa. The area is known for its Nov 9, 2023 · Every year since 2011, the free-floating seaweed has inundated Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Florida coastlines during the hot summer months, emitting toxic fumes and wreaking havoc on coastal ecosystems as it decays. This warning, issued by Brigitta Ine Van Tussenbroek, head […] ECOLOGICAL, HEALTH & ECONOMIC EMERGENCY Sargassum seaweed, originally beneficial to the marine ecosystem, has been spreading dangerously since 2011 due to human pollution. While large blooms of sargassum are not uncommon in the Caribbean islands, the Gulf Coast of Mexico, and Florida’s coastline, the current situation is presenting more significant challenges. It’s no wonder that if you’re thinking of visiting you’ve most likely heard of the Tulum seaweed problem that has been plaguing the Caribbean coast in recent years, including Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Bottom: video from a cruise survey in June 2022, eastern Gulf of Mexico (video credit: Sam Bunson and Sarah Sullivan) Feb 21, 2020 · Sargassum monitoring forecasts for Cancun and Playa del Carmen show a significant decrease in yucky seaweed tides compared to the last two years. While 2015, 2018, and 2019 remain record years for the seaweed phenomena across the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. This year, it could grow bigger. By summer of 2011, a patchy belt of Sargassum spanned the whole tropical Atlantic, and masses of seaweed were being swept into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. AUGUST 2022 - Climate change is causing misery in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, with the Sargasso Sea producing colossal sargassum blooms of 22 millions tons this year, an increase over 18 million tons in 2021. Blue shades Jul 6, 2023 · The sargassum stretches from Africa to the Caribbean, and even into the Gulf of Mexico. In all regions Apr 4, 2023 · Researchers at NOAA CoastWatch and AOML alongside the University of South Florida developed the experimental Sargassum Inundation Report (SIR) to provide an overview of the extent of Sargassum in the ocean and the risk of Sargassum washing into coastal waters, beaches, and shorelines in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and southeast Florida regions. com Latest Map from USF – SaWS Legend of the USF-SaWS Map : Images are an interpretation of satellite images. In May 2021, the Sargassum amount continued to increase across the central west Atlantic (CWA) and the Ocean. Sargassum is thought to also be minimal in the Gulf of Mexico, Florida Straits and the Caribbean Sea. 1 Harvesting at the beach 13 2. Overall, the Sargassum quantity in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (extending from west Africa to the Gulf of Mexico) during the month of July 2023 decreased substantially from June 2023, with a total wet weight of approximately 6 million metric tons. Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute. Under optimal conditions, they can double in volume in a week ! Sargassum fluitans have thorny stems whereas, Sargassum natans have smooth stems. Raines Feb 21, 2020 · According to the University of South Florida’s “Outlook of 2020 Sargassum,” the sargassum amount in the Central West Atlantic – the region east of the Lesser Antilles – is still low Oct 31, 2023 · Seasonal cycle of Sargassum areal coverage (‰; a–d) in the Tropical Atlantic computed from MODIS detections from 2012 to 2022 and shown at 25 km resolution. It’s located very near the equator in this animation of weather analysis data from April, 19, 2023, but it will migrate northward as summer approaches, bringing more Sargassum into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. This map serves as a record of arrivals and has been updated through the efforts of citizen science participation. Feb 24, 2020 · Experts believe the sargassum seaweed problem which impacts the Yucatan Peninsula and other coastal towns in the Caribbean each year will not be as intense in 2020. The MMABE obtained a sargassum seaweed harvester in 2020 to help manage sargassum influxes out to sea; however, the harvester was only used once on 9 July 2020 as a test in Consett Bay St. China hits back with levies on US products after Apr 24, 2023 · Sargassum seaweed in the tropical Atlantic piles into a giant windrow beneath the ITCZ in spring. Read more. In most years, the hardest hit area is the Florida Keys, which is on the front line of currents flowing into the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico from the mid-Atlantic “Sargassum Sea. https://cdn. The sargassum layer is influenced by environmental conditions in the area, such as currents and winds. Based on current forecasts from “HYCOM” and wind forecasts from “NCEP”, it […] Apr 4, 2023 · An over 8,000-kilometre-wide brown glob of seaweed, known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, is on the move and could potentially wreak havoc on beaches in Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean Nov 6, 2024 · In a normal year, the sargassum seaweed “season” in Florida begins in April and continues through summer. coastalscience. Apr 24, 2023 · Extreme climate event in North Atlantic may have kicked off Sargassum explosion a decade ago. 2024 Sargassum seaweed forecast map & reports. The image in this animation corresponds to 7 days, as you can see from the dates at the top of the image. Proc. Know the Sargassum Seaweed There are dozens of Sargassum algae. - The sargassum belt that threatened to ruin the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean this summer is significantly decreasing, and scientists from Florida who produce a monthly report on this natural phenomenon of marine algae blooming predict that it will further diminish or remain stable in the coming months. Golden tides. in the Atlantic, termed Sargassum events are becoming more frequent in response to several factors: nutrient enrichment, increased temperature Sep 30, 2024 · This visualization shows the monthly mean Sargassum observed in the Atlantic Ocean by the MODIS instruments on NASA's TERRA and AQUA satellites from January 2018 through December 2023. September, 2015 Please cite as: Doyle, E. Sargassum-Free Hotels Map Welcome to our new Sargassum-Free* Hotels** Map. The sargassum ecosystem Photo: B. Jun 4, 2024 · Sargassum levels were already high around many eastern Caribbean islands in late May 2024. associate the cause of sargassum with higher than normal temperatures and low winds, both of which influence ocean currents, and they draw links to global climate change. Dr. Chuanmin Hu and his team at the University of South Florida, is a tool to forecast and monitor Sargassum trajectory and location. When it reaches the coasts of 43 countries to date, it decomposes and decimates fauna, flora and coral, with serious consequences for the environment, the economy and health. As it decomposes, it releases a substance called hydrogen sulfide, which has an unpleasant odor, similar to rotten eggs. 3 million metric tons in March to 5. Linking habitat to recruitment: Evaluating the importance of pelagic Sargassum to fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico This project evaluated the importance of sargassum as a nursery habitat for fish in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The pictures and videos are dated and accurately positioned based on the shooting location. Unprecedented massive landings of sargassum floating algae have been observed since 2011 along the shorelines of a huge area encompassing the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Huatulco: Located in the state of Oaxaca, Huatulco features nine bays and 36 beaches, each with its unique charm. The "Sargassum Cooperative CIC" is a proposed consortium of affected Governments, the aim of such group being to develop a cost-effective system for the sustainable, proactive removal and long-term management of pelagic Sargassum seaweed in the Mexican Gulf and Caribbean Sea - much as the excellent example document from the Government of Antigua and Jul 5, 2023 · This graphic compares the trend of decreasing sargassum from June to July, August and September for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Sargassum abundance for each region is compared with historical values in the same month of 2011 – 2023 in the whisker box plot below, where horizontal bars in each vertical box indicate minimum, 25%, 50%, 75%, and maximal historical values, respectively. Feb 25, 2020 · In historically “normal” amounts, Sargassum hosts a rich diversity of life, including other algae, crustaceans, fish, turtles, and birds in the area of the Atlantic Ocean called the Sargasso Sea – named after the algae – and the Gulf of Mexico. Here, using satellite observations of Sargassum areal density and ocean surface currents between 2000 and 2023, we show that large amounts of Sargassum in the GoM can either originate from the northwestern GoM or be a result of Jul 5, 2023 · Because of the continued decreases of sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, and because theincreases in the central west Atlantic appear to have slowed down, researchers predict the May 10, 2019 · The tumultuous year of travel in 2020 might be all the more bitter knowing that it was a relatively calm year for Sargassum. This macroalgae, which accumulates annually along the shores of the Mexican Caribbean, could reach levels in 2025 not seen since the critical crisis of 2015. Sep 2, 2016 · Boats cross a mass of Sargassum seaweed that washed ashore on the southern Caribbean island of Tobago in August 2015. Minimal Sargassum was observed in the Caribbean Sea [CS] or Gulf of Mexico [GoM], with approximate biomass densities of 15 thousand tons and 1 thousand tons, respectively. This issue has tremendous negative impacts over local communities Sargassum map 2024 You are about to consult the official map of Sargassum 2024. 2 million), Lezama said. ” The most recent USF forecast said the total amount of sargassum grew from 4. Gulf Carib. S. Hernandez and his team are setting the stage for substantial advances in fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico. Total Sargassum amount in the eastern CS doubled to 1. 67: Frazier 2014. Locations based on SEAMAP Plankton survey. noaa. edu) The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing high abundance. 3 Storage of the biomass 14 2. (University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab / NASA) Dec 14, 2023 · Tulum is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico, with unbelievable beaches, amazing nightlife, and beach resorts. Her report was fairly Mar 15, 2023 · Since 2011, a fleet of seaweed patches double the size of the contiguous U. Pelagic Sargassum, an important habitat for larval and juvenile stages of many fish species, is found in large surface aggregations, and may provide complex structure in which microplastics become trapped. 2022, the total Sargassum amount continued to increase across the tropical Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea (CS), the Central West Atlantic (CWA, i. In 2023, sargassum seaweed made its appearance in February, marking an earlier arrival compared to previous years, and experts are forecasting a similar trend for 2024. 6 million pesos (US $6. Vice Admiral Ramón Enríquez noted during the press FERTILIZERS FROM SARGASSUM SEAWEED. This is attributed to persistent clouds in the eastern Atlantic that led a decrease in the satellite-observed Sargassum quantity for that region. It provides fish, birds and other ocean organisms with food and refuge. These floating algae play crucial roles in maritime ecosystems but can also impact coastal regions, particularly during the summer months. Looking ahead: We expect continued Sargassum growth over the next few months as the primary Sargassum bloom in the interior Central Atlantic continues to expand. It is also common in the Gulf of Mexico where it blooms in the spring and supplies the Sargasso Sea population via the Gulf Stream current, and it has been known Mar 17, 2023 · CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coastal Bend has seen pockets of sargassum, more commonly known as seaweed, wash up in the past. These events can cause significant economic, environmental and public health harm. Forecasters expect increasing sargassum washing up in June on many of the islands and in the Gulf of Mexico. Sargassum contains cellulose and hemicellulose, which are raw materials in paper Sarganico Makes notebooks and paper that can be used for packaging and/or crafts Cup and menu holders for restaurants being produced Sargassum generates ethanol, a main compound in biofuel Sargassum also makes an excellent fertilizer Jul 14, 2020 · The seaweed grows in the center of the North Atlantic, in an area called the Sargasso Sea. 8 miin April Jul 22, 2021 · Mass blooms and stranding of pelagic Sargassum spp. , Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean islands. Sargassum amount in all regions combined increased slightly to 10. Weatherman” explore the impacts it has on water temperatures and developing tropical storms and hurricanes ! As with the previous three months, essentially no Sargassum was observed in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and the Caribbean Sea (CS). Distribution of floating Sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean mapped using MERIS. Of note, however, Sargassum is amassing in the east-central Atlantic (especially just Aug 25, 2022 · In Mexico many activities relate to sargassum harvesting, valorization, and innovations. #1 resource on Sargassum seaweed blob, update, sargassum-free beaches in Florida, Cancun, Mexico, Caribbean. ” Outlook of 2023 Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico* March 1, 2023, by University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab (bbarnes4@usf. This indicates significant beaching events are still ongoing around the CS nations/islands. According to The University of South Florida's Outlook of 2020 Sargassum , the amount of seaweed found in the Central West Atlantic Ocean is lower than it was in 2019 and other Pelagic Sargassum is a buoyant macroalgae that forms rafts at the ocean surface and serves as a biologically rich habitat for hundreds of diverse marine species. Sargassum abundance in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) remained low, but small amounts were captured in satellite images by late April, some of which may have entered the Straits of Florida approaching the Florida Keys. Received 6 January 2020; Received in revised Oct 19, 2022 · Large mats of Sargassum have been washing ashore in the Southeast U. Apr 1, 2021 · The Sargassum Inundation Report (SIR) is made up of weekly fields derived from satellite-based observations that estimate the abundance of Sargassum in the open ocean and forecast the potential of this seaweed to reach coastlines for five regions: the Gulf of Mexico, Central America, the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and South America. Saint Kitts and Nevis deploys both a centralised national response to sargassum events, as well as local community responses. Along with these species, more than 145 invertebrate species such as shrimp, nudibranch, seahorses, crabs, snails and fish have been documented is association with Sargassum. Jan 12, 2025 · Cancun Seaweed Beach Report Card on January 12, 2025. Starting in 2011, unusually large amounts of Sargassum have been washing PROPOSED: SARGASSUM COOPERATIVE CIC . Outlook of 2020 Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. This bloom will also continue to Sargassum is large brown seaweed (a type of algae) that floats in island-like masses and never attaches to the seafloor. Sargassum in the western Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico will likely remain very low. Over the last several years the abundance of sargassum has also presented a growing challenge for beach communities in the Caribbean, Mexico, and other The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt — the official name for the collection of floating brown seaweed that sprawls across 5,000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the west coast of Africa — contained about 13 million tons of seaweed by the end of March, according to researchers at the University of South Florida’s Optical Oceanography Lab who Apr 24, 2024 · The sargassum belt that threatened to ruin the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean this summer is significantly decreasing, and scientists from Florida who produce a… Read More >> July 5, 2023 Apr 4, 2023 · Researchers at NOAA CoastWatch and AOML alongside the University of South Florida developed the experimental Sargassum Inundation Report (SIR) to provide an overview of the extent of Sargassum in the ocean and the risk of Sargassum washing into coastal waters, beaches, and shorelines in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and southeast Florida regions. It’s more than just a guide to choosing your next […] Apr 3, 2023 · The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt — the official name for the collection of floating brown seaweed that sprawls across 5,000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the west coast of Africa 3 based on the shape of the patches (especially the lines extending over 100 km in length), continuity of patterns over a several-month period, and lack of indication in the satellite Since 2011, large influxes of sargassum are affecting the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, representing a materialized risk for the environment, society, and economy of these regions. However, in 2024, the region, including popular tourist destinations like Tulum and the Riviera Maya, experienced a rare phenomenon—the near-total absence of sargassum. Looking ahead: As in previous years, we expect Mar 22, 2023 · WASHINGTON (AP) — 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. 3 Skill of the Forecast. This is the period to avoid – especially June through August – if you don’t want to have a smelly, inconvenient run-in with sargassum on your Jan 10, 2025 · The map below shows average Sargassum abundance for the month of December 2024, with warm colors representing higher abundance. Let us guide you to unforgettable beach getaways by highlighting tourist accomodations that are in unaffected areas […] East Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), essentially no decrease was observed in the Caribbean Sea (CS). Experts warned that the region’s annual spring bloom of Sargassum—a free-floating brown macroalgae from the North Atlantic that suddenly appeared in large quantities in the tropics in 2011— was the densest observed in March since scientists began tracking Feb 1, 2024 · Pelagic Sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) plays an important role in ocean biology and ecology, yet our knowledge of its origins and transport pathways is limited. The beaches of Mexico, natural treasures cherished by millions of visitors, are facing a growing threat: sargassum. 2 Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean and their impacts 9 2 Sargassum composition, storage, and valorization 12 2. While we expect very little Sargassum presence during this time of year, these values are among the lowest recorded in November Jul 13, 2024 · Seaweed forecasts by the specialists have traditionally been fairly correct. edu) The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing higher values. 5 x 0. , the region east of the Lesser Antilles in the maps below), the Central East Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico Real Time Data for Gulf of Mexico Respiratory Irritation Forecast; Archived Gulf of Mexico Forecasts; More information about our bloom monitoring imagery; Health information – Summary of the ways red tide can impact the health of humans and animals Jan 20, 2025 · How are Sargassum stranding forecasts calculated ? Sargassum movement forecasting method : Each red dot corresponds to a sargassum patch identified by the “AFAI” thanks to satellites. Apr 9, 2021 · For at least several centuries, sargasso has inhabited the Atlantic Ocean, and there are historical records of these algae reaching the Mexican Veracruz State in the Gulf of Mexico. Monitoring system shows "very low" seaweed presence, benefiting tourists, local businesses, and the ecosystem. When massive mounds of golden-brown seaweed began piling up on beaches throughout the Caribbean and West Africa in summer of 2011, the question of where it came from probably mattered less to residents and businesses than how they were going to get rid of it. Large plumes of sargassum is where issues can arise. Holopelagic sargassum occurs naturally in the North Atlantic, where massive quantities contained by circulating currents form the Sargasso Sea. Apr 24, 2023 · Seaweed in the Gulf of Mexico. Updated on February 02, 2025 Sargassum map – Caribbean Sea How are Sargassum stranding forecasts calculated ? Sargassum movement forecasting method : Each red dot corresponds […] CLEANING UP SARGASSUM SEAWEED BLOOMS. Feb 21, 2020 · Mexico and other Caribbean coastal towns are gearing up for the eventual arrival of sargassum, a brown macroalgae floating on the ocean surface that has plagued beaches and tourist Nov 21, 2024 · Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo. The prediction for July, August and September (in red text) show the outlook of sargassum seaweed in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and the Caribbean Sea (CS). , 2019). Jan 24, 2024 · Its range expansion southward was driven by shifting wind patterns and ocean currents that send massive amounts of sargassum into the western Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Oct 31, 2023 · Every year since 2011, the free-floating seaweed has inundated Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Florida coastlines during the hot summer months, emitting toxic fumes and wreaking havoc on coastal ecosystems as it decays. The color represents the mean amount of Sargassum observed in that box during the month of July. Satellite observations from December 2024 show a sharp rise in tropical Atlantic sargassum, signalling a likely major seaweed bloom in 2025. These organisms include: Sargassum fish, Sargassum sea mat, Sargassum pipefish, Sargassum snail, Sargassum swimming crab, Sargassum nudibranch and Sargassum shrimp. 0M tons, making it slightly above the 50 percentile of historical levels Sargassum abundance in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) remained low, but small amounts were found near the Mississippi River delta and in the Straits of Florida. The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt — as the biomass stretching from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico is called — contains scattered Aug 30, 2022 · 1. Jun 6, 2024 · The first Level 2 sargassum alert of the season was issued by Mexico’s Navy (Semar) back in mid-April when a gigantic sargassum mass sighted weeks earlier seemed headed for Mexico’s shores. Jun 5, 2023 · Overall, the amount of sargassum in the Great Atlantic Sagassum Belt — which extends from the west coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico — actually decreased in May by 15 percent from what was Jan 14, 2025 · The band of seaweed annually stretches across the Atlantic, peaking in summer, and drifts west, often piling up on islands in the Caribbean, or continuing into the Gulf of Mexico. Inst. This Program was created in 2013 by Robert Webster to help with forecasting large Sargassum landings for Texas. 20,975 individual motile epifauna from 32 Mar 23, 2023 · A massive 5,000-mile Sargassum seaweed belt is nearing the Gulf of Mexico, but will the Texas Gulf Coast see it? ABC13 Chief Meteorologist Travis Herzog breaks it down. Meanwhile, Sargassum abundance in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM, Region #1) remained low, but small amounts were found in the Florida Keys. There are continuous reports linking massive arrivals of Sargassum to beach inundation, coral reef degradation, tourism industry disruption, coastal erosion, and sea Jun 1, 2024 · Latest news on sargassum seaweed 2024. 2015. The Sargassum Watch System (SaWS), developed by Dr. and J. Sargassum’s Impact on Ecosystems and Beaches CS also received small amounts of Sargassum, with most of the seaweed restricted to the southern portion approaching Belize. 4 days ago · Atlantic evolution of the Sargassum belt Map provided by Sailgrib. Since 2015, exceptionally large quantities of sargasso have been arriving intermittently on Oct 31, 2024 · What scientists call the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt sometimes stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to West Africa, pushing far larger quantities of the unanchored seaweed into the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico than typically was the case before 2011. However, strong winds can push the seaweed across the Gulf Stream’s currents, and then onto our beaches. Franks. Sargassum Fact Sheet. AUGUST 2022 - Climate change is causing misery in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, with the Sargasso Sea producing colossal sargassum blooms of 22 millions tons this year, an increase over 18 million tons in 2021. The Optical […] Jan 6, 2020 · Alginate extraction from Sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean region: Gulf of Mexico (Milledge & Harvey, 2016). " In the summer of 2018, this large mass formed a belt 8,850 km long with an estimated weight greater than 20 million tons that extended from West Africa, crossing the Central Atlantic Ocean through the Caribbean Sea, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico (Wang et al. After Jun 5, 2023 · The quantity of seaweed found in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB), which stretches from the western coast of Africa into the Gulf of Mexico, shrank by 15% between April and May, according Jan 14, 2025 · It also has the latest updates on the Cancun seaweed problem and details on sargassum seaweed in 2024 and the seaweed forecast for 2025. The waters of the Gulf of Mexico are home to a significant amount of seaweed, including the extensive mats of Sargassum. The Sargassum quantity in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (extending from west Africa to the Gulf of Mexico) continued the overall increasing trend, again setting a record abundance (~13 million tons) for this time of year. At the national level, a Draft Sargassum Adaptive Management Strategy (SAMS) was developed for the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) under the Climate Change Adaptation in the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries Sector (CC4FISH) Project in 2021. We will closely monitor and track Sargassum throughout the central Atlantic. Since 2011, massive blooms of Sargassum have occurred in the tropical Atlantic and swept through the western tropical Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Feb 1, 2024 · In 2015/2016, 373 dip net samples of algae were collected from the Tropical Atlantic, Greater Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf Stream, and Sargasso Sea. While the Caribbean side of Mexico gets most of the attention, the Gulf of Mexico and the Sea of Cortez offer stunning and sargassum-free beaches. Fish. The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing high abundance. Urgent solutions are needed, […] Mar 30, 2023 · Sargassum can be good for the ocean environment across the Gulf of Mexico. J. e. , the region east of the Lesser Antilles in the maps below) and the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), which sets a new historical record for the month of May. Bladder and blade attributes Mar 20, 2024 · Gulf of Mexico and Sea of Cortez: Untouched and Underrated. 24/7 Live Houston Southwest BUILDING MATERIALS FROM SARGASSUM SEAWEED. John in collaboration with the Barbados Coast Guard, the BADMC, the Ministry of Transport, Barbados Water Authority, and the Fisheries Division. These beachings are familiar sights on the northern coast of the Gulf of The SEAS Program is an ongoing research effort from Texas A&M Galveston (TAMUG) that specializes in Sargassum seaweed movement and migration patterns, as well as identifying and understanding potential growth factors behind the blooms. Jan 24, 2024 · The Atlantic's sargassum seaweed swath reached a record size for December but it's too soon to tell what that will mean for Gulf of Mexico beaches. However, because of the relatively high amounts of Sargassum in the tropical Atlantic, 2025 is likely another major Sargassum year. Apr 20, 2023 · Earlier this year, ocean scientists raised an alert about the large amount of seaweed drifting in the tropical Atlantic this spring. This could lead to greater risk Cancun. Aug 13, 2023 · Sargassum is a type of large brown seaweed that floats in mass formations without attaching to the seafloor. MSc thesis, Texas A&MU Gower & King 2011. These experimental Sargassum Inundation Risk (SIR) fields provide an overview of the risk of sargassum coastal inundation in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico regions. 5 million metric tons, making it above the 75 percentile of historical levels for the month of June. Figure showing potential locations of Sargassum collection (red circles). Generally, the beaches most affected by high concentrations of algae include Cozumel, Playa del Carmen Jun 28, 2023 · The clumps are breaking off an enormous raft of free-floating seaweed known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, which stretches 5,000 miles (8,047km) between the Gulf of Mexico and the west Mar 15, 2023 · The over 8,000 kilometre-wide brown glob of seaweed, known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, is not new — but it is on the move and could potentially wreak havoc on beaches in Florida Nov 25, 2024 · 🏝️ Mexico Gulf Beaches. Microplastics are a concern in marine environments because they are highly durable, ubiquitous, and can be mistaken for food and ingested by small organisms. An example of Sargassum coverage ensemble mean prediction in January, April, and July 2021 is shown in Figure 2. Likewise, some moderate amount of Sargassum was found in the Straits of Florida and along the east Outlook of 2021 Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico* May 31st, 2021, by University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab (huc@usf. This map is your ideal companion in the quest for dream destinations where the beaches are always pristine, and the waters crystal clear, without the inconveniences of sargassum. Looking ahead, following previous major bloom years (2018, 2021), the overall Sargassum abundance in the western Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico will likely continue to decrease through November. Based on the latest satellite images (see below) experts predict 2025 could be another major bloom year, depending on nutrient availability. Int. Jan 29, 2025 · In 2025, the seaweed season in the Cancun Area is slowly starting and sargassum is already invading some beaches across the Mexican Caribbean coast. Cancun's seven certified beaches report minimal sargassum levels, signaling optimal conditions for the winter tourism season. edu, huc@usf. gov Oct 20, 2024 · The presence of sargassum along the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean has long been a challenge for coastal communities, tourism, and local ecosystems. has cycled from West Africa to Florida, threatening beaches from Martinique to Miami. Oct 31, 2023 · The 7-month limit of the Sargassum forecast is imposed by the length of the ECMWF's operational forecasts. During the month of September 2023, the Sargassum quantity in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (extending from west Africa to the Gulf of Mexico) continued to decline, with a current wet weight of approximately 3 million metric tons. In June 2022, the Sargassum amount continued to increase across the tropical Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea (CS), the Central West Atlantic (CWA, i. According to Mexico News Daily, there is currently a mass of sargassum in the Atlantic Ocean that could bring increased levels of seaweed Apr 20, 2020 · By exploring the dynamics of sargassum habitat in the Gulf of Mexico, Dr. Algae arrive from the open sea as large rafts (tens of km) after having drifted over long distances, probably from Brazil or the Gulf of Guinea. These Jul 5, 2023 · Miami. 2 Harvesting of sargassum biomass 12 2. Top right: Sargassum mat and clumps in the Gulf of Mexico, together with a 1m x 1m quadrate to estimate the size of the mat (photo credit: Sam Bunson and Sarah Sullivan). 2. It is generally kept away from our shores by the Gulf Stream. 5 degrees, roughly 3025 square kilometers in size. Nov 20, 2024 · The budget to collect sargassum and clean Quintana Roo’s beaches this year amounted to 125. Most of Most of these activities are developed by sma ll companies and entrepreneurs, and they a re still the Sargassum quantity in the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (extending from west Africa to the Gulf of Mexico) during the month of April 2023 was approximately equal to that observed for March 2023. There’s FAR less sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico beaches vs Caribbean beaches, and places like El Cuyo and Puerto Progreso Beach near Merida make great options. 1 Reducing water content of seaweed biomass 14. Nov 18, 2024 · As the seaweed clumps grow and spread for miles throughout the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, currents bring them onto Cancun beaches between February at the earliest all the way through mid-October. 3. May 11, 2020 · In June, it could be transported into the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Advanced prediction of the Intra-Americas sargassum season through analysis of the Sargassum Loop System using remote sensing technology. PLEASE USE OUR A-Z TO NAVIGATE THIS SITE, OR SEE HOME. Thanks to the Sargassum citizen science network, scientists and researchers have been able to highlight the three models that are invading the Caribbean. When you have a hard time finding the best seaweed free beaches in Caribbean waters, another option is to visit the Gulf of Mexico side of the country. 2 Harvesting at the sea 13 2. It can wash up on Florida beaches, the Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean islands. edu, yuyuan@usf. Blooming of sargasso in the southern tropical Atlantic is a current a global problem from Africa to the Greater Caribbean. In this video, Brian Shields “Mr. Based on current forecasts from “HYCOM” and wind forecasts from “NCEP”, it is possible to estimate the trajectory of the sargassum and its possible arrival along Caribbean beaches. asm ppk tbqfu qyrav cqvxz ttzy xnhpmn pjlc neff cnlknhk gpsm hfoh yfrgmh ctjwl oavpd