Massive seaweed invasion arrives at Florida beaches, could be worst bloom ever recorded

ORLANDO, Fla. — Some Florida beaches are already starting to see and smell a massive amount of seaweed.

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The seaweed called ‘sargassum’ is starting to wash ashore in South Florida.

The thick bushy blob of seaweed has been seen stretching over 5,000 miles in the Atlantic Ocean.

Read: 9 facts about sargassum, that smelly brown algae washing ashore in Florida

Researchers said this year could be the largest sargassum blooms ever recorded.

It’s already stretching over Haulover Beach, Sunny Isles, Hollywood Beach and Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Read: ‘Huge’ bloom of seaweed looms in the Atlantic, likely headed to Florida beaches

“It is moving westward towards the Caribbean region and will be making its way to the Gulf of Mexico and South Florida in the coming months, so more is coming,” said research professor Dr. Brian Lapointe.

Lapointe said there is no need to be alarmed because the bloom all depends on the currents and winds.

Read: ‘A lot of dead fish’: Beach visitors in Southwest Florida deal with red tide conditions

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9 facts about sargassum Here are nine facts about sargassum from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: (WFTV.com News Staff)

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