A record-breaking seaweed bloom is expected to hit Brevard County beaches this summer, with scientists estimating the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt could reach 40 million tons — a new high. The surge, which has grown every year since 2011, is already causing concerns for coastal communities. Dr. Brian Barnes, a researcher at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science, said last year’s bloom was the largest ever recorded, nearly double the previous record. This year, he expects the numbers to match or exceed that.
The seaweed, which floats offshore as part of the marine ecosystem, becomes a problem when it washes ashore and decays. Surfer Rhett Boyd said the smell is unpleasant but doesn’t affect his surfing. Still, the decay can hurt tourism, a key economic driver for the region. Barnes’ team is using satellite imagery and modeling to track where the bloom will land, but ocean currents, wind, and coastline angles make predictions tricky. Impacts are often uneven — one beach might be smothered in seaweed while the next mile down the shore is clear.
Barnes noted the annual increase in blooms is tied to rising ocean temperatures and changes in nutrient cycles. Last year’s bloom reached 40 million metric tons, and this year’s forecast suggests a similar or worse scenario. The research team is working to identify vulnerable areas, but the unpredictability of where the seaweed will land complicates cleanup efforts. Local governments are preparing contingency plans, though resources remain limited.
For now, residents and visitors are being warned to expect the stench and the mess. Tourism officials are monitoring the situation closely, knowing that even a single bad summer could strain the industry. With no clear solution in sight, the focus remains on tracking the bloom and mitigating its effects — one beach at a time.