Surfing
Florida offers some of the best surfing beaches in the United States, and as such, it’s no surprise that seaweed has become an issue. Seaweed has been an ever-growing problem in Florida over the past couple of years, especially in the northern and central parts of the state. During certain seasons, certain waters around Florida can become overrun with seaweed, especially along the Gulf Coast. The result is not only an unenjoyable beach experience for locals and visitors, but beach closures due to hygienic concerns.
The beaches from Daytona Beach and along the central and northern coast, and Jacksonville and beyond in the northern and northeastern part of the state have the highest density of seaweed. The problem appears to be from the increased amounts of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that are being dumped into the waterways, resulting in an explosion of seaweed growth. Unfortunately, this has caused many popular beaches to close or have swimming and other beach activities prohibited.
Surfers may find their rides more choppy due to the seaweed, as well as dealing with slimy masses after an especially severe problem occurs. Everyone needs to know if a beach is suffering from a high seaweed problem, so surfers as well as beachgoers can enjoy their respective activities safely. When tides are running high, seaweed can gather in large mats that can stretch for hundreds of feet and become a hazard to bathers.
There are ways of entering the water to limit the risks posed by seaweed, such as entering water via the sand instead of jumping directly into the seaweed. This will limit the contact and help reduce the chances of seaweed colliding with your body and limiting your movements. It would be wise to use a wetsuit if the water is especially choppy or filled with seaweed due to the slime it generates.
Clearing Seaweed
In recent years, cities and local authorities have attempted to remove the seaweed from their beaches. This has been done through placing nets or other means of debris collecting devices along the shore, or having someone patrol the beach during the peak hours and remove any seaweed that may accumulate. Unfortunately, for the most part, any seaweed that is removed from the beach will come back the next day, which can be very frustrating and tiring for both the locals and city authorities.
The city of Palm Beach, for example, has taken a proactive approach to the seaweed problem by constructing seawalls to prevent the seaweed from entering the popular beaches and scouring the beach every morning to remove any seaweed that may have accumulated during the night. The effort has been successful in keeping the beach debris free and attractive to beachgoers, however it should be noted that the seawalls have had impacts on some indigenous plant and animal species.
Another method of removal is to use seasonal or annual seaweed removal dredges to dredge and collect the seaweed from the waters near the beach. While effective, this method is more costly than the regularly scheduled maintenance and should really only be used for severe problems as it can be dangerous to wildlife and ruin habitat for creatures that call the beach home.
Seaweed Management
Proper management of the waters is essential in controlling the seaweed problem in Florida’s beaches. This includes reducing the amount of nutrients being discharged into rivers and canals, which will help reduce the amount of seaweed growth in the area. Additionally, local authorities and cities should adopt programs that focus on improving water quality and reducing agricultural runoff as these are two main causes of the seaweed problem.
One way of reducing the impacts of agricultural runoff is by increasing the buffers between the farmland and the beach. This will reduce the amount of nutrients and chemicals that enter the water from the farmland, thus reducing the amount of seaweed growth. Additionally, the local authorities can also work with farmers to create better drainage systems, so as to capture the runoff and divert it away from the beach before it has a chance to reach the shore.
Reducing Impacts on Beachgoers
Although reducing the amount of nutrient runoff and creating effective management plans is essential in solving the seaweed problem in Florida’s beaches, the local authorities need to also consider how they are going to reduce the impacts on beachgoers. This includes providing warning signs at the beaches to alert visitors of any dangerous conditions such as high levels of seaweed or other debris. Additionally, the local authorities should also be providing regular updates and forecasts on the beach condition so beachgoers know if a beach is safe to visit.
Educating beachgoers is another important way of reducing the impacts of seaweed on beachgoers. This includes informing beachgoers of what to expect at the beach, such as the types of seaweed present and what measures should be taken in order to be safe in the water. Additionally, educating beachgoers about the dangers of large mats of seaweed and how to effectively avoid them is essential in preventing accidents and injuries.
Conclusion
Seaweed has become a growing problem in many of Florida’s beaches, however there are ways of reducing its impacts and managing it more effectively. Reducing the amount of nutrient runoff and creating an effective management plan are key to solving this issue, while also providing warning signs and educating beachgoers are also important steps to take.
It is important to note that seaweed is a complex issue and it will take both local and state level efforts to reduce the amount of seaweed in Florida’s beaches. All beachgoers should be aware of the dangers of seaweed and should take necessary precautionary steps to ensure their own safety.
