Brevard County beaches are once again being smothered by sargassum, the foul-smelling seaweed that washes ashore each year from the Sargasso Sea. NOAA forecasts this will be the worst season on record, with an estimated 39 million tons of the algae floating in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean. Jim Habovick, a Melbourne metal detectorist, has found more than 250 rings in the past 18 months while combing the sand — including a Texas woman’s wedding ring and a 1700s-era Spanish coin. But this year, he’s finding more seaweed than treasure. "People avoid the sargassum when they sit," Habovick said. "That’s where the clean sand is." The algae typically arrives in May, but officials warn this year’s influx could be unprecedented. Richard Aronson, a Florida Tech professor and ocean engineering expert, explained the seaweed’s journey: it grows in shallow Atlantic waters, breaks off, and is carried by currents from Brazil to the Caribbean before reaching Florida. "It’s a long, torturous trip," Aronson said. The algae’s arrival has already disrupted beachgoers, with thick mats of the stuff washing up along the Space Coast. Local governments are preparing for increased cleanup efforts, though no official response plans have been announced. The seaweed’s decomposition releases hydrogen sulfide, creating a rotten egg smell that lingers for days. Habovick, who’s been hunting for artifacts since 2008, said the sargassum’s presence has changed his routine. "It’s harder to find modern jewelry now," he admitted. "But I’ll keep looking — maybe I’ll find something bigger this year."