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3. *Sargassum:* From Sea to Shore

***Sargassum:* From Sea to Shore**  What is *Sargassum,* where does it come from, and what happens when it washes ashore? infographic showing the effects of Sargassum inundation events*This infographic illustrates the movement of*Sargassum *from sea to shore. Out at sea,*Sargassum *provides important fish and wildlife habitat. However, this free-floating algae often washes ashore in great quantities due to strong wind and water currents. Masses of this algae beaching on shore can harm coastal ecosystems, drive away tourists, and pose public health threats. NOAA is working to help coastal communities address the growing problem of what experts call "*Sargassum*inundation events."* Description of this infographic. *Sargassum* is a type of floating brown algae that provides food, protection, and habitat for many marine species. While *Sargassum* plays an important role in the health and biodiversity of open ocean ecosystems, it can also be harmful in certain situations when rafts of this brown algae are carried to shore by winds and currents. Out at sea in U.S. waters, NOAA manages many fish species that depend upon floating mats of *Sargassum* for food and shelter. When *Sargassum* rafts are pushed to land by wind and waves, NOAA and partners provide tracking and forecasting tools to help people know when and where mats of algae are likely to come ashore. Once *Sargassum* washes on land, NOAA experts provide support and scientific expertise to help affected communities. Lastly, ongoing NOAA research helps us better understand and manage the public health, social, and economic issues posed by *Sargassum.* 1 The Great Atlantic *Sargassum* Belt  Historically, the majority of *Sargassum* was located in the Sargasso Sea in the western North Atlantic. In 2011, the geographic range of *Sargassum* expanded. A newly established population, driven by shifting wind patterns, is now thriving in the open ocean. This region is called the "Great Atlantic *Sargassum* Belt." Massive amounts of *Sargassum* from this area are transported west into the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and tropical South Atlantic via ocean currents.    2 Essential Fish Habitat  Free-floating *Sargassum* in the ocean provides habitat, food resources, protection, and breeding grounds for hundreds of marine species. This includes commercially important fisheries species such as gray triggerfish, amberjack, and mahi mahi that feed on the smaller marine life present in *Sargassum* mats. In the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean, NOAA designates areas of *Sargassum* as "Essential Fish Habitat." Juvenile sea turtles and sea birds also use *Sargassum* for feeding and shelter. In the South Atlantic and portions of the Gulf of Mexico, *Sargassum* is designated as Critical Habitat for threatened loggerhead sea turtles under the Endangered Species Act.    3 On Shore: *Sargassum* Inundation Events  *Sargassum* inundation events occur when rafts of this algae are carried to shore by winds and currents. These events are a type of harmful algal bloom that can adversely impact coastal ecosystems, tourism, and public health. Massive amounts of *Sargassum* can form brown tides nearshore, smothering fauna and flora — including coral reefs. *Sargassum* mats may also clog water intake pipes used in critical infrastructure (for example, in desalination plants that produce drinking water). *Sargassum* also contains high levels of arsenic and other heavy metals, organic contaminants, and marine debris. *Sargassum* decomposing on the beach produces hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten eggs, which can cause respiratory irritation. Cleanup options are limited and costly.    What is NOAA's role?  **Tracking and Forecasting**  Several NOAA offices monitor and track *Sargassum,* providing online forecasts and near real-time conditions. One effort, a partnership between NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Lab and the University of South Florida, uses NOAA satellites to generate a weekly risk map that shows where *Sargassum* is likely to wash ashore in coastal areas of the U.S., Caribbean, and Central America. The Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, a regional association of NOAA's Integrated Ocean Observing System, also monitors and tracks *Sargassum* in the Atlantic and Caribbean, offering short- and long-term forecasts, a seven-day outlook, and the latest satellite imagery of affected regions.  Research continues to improve these products, including a 2023 study to incorporate community science reports to improve monitoring. *Image credit: Marine Macroalgae Research Lab - Florida International University* Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Lab National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System
 **Managing Habitat**  NOAA designates *Sargassum* as Essential Fish Habitat for several species, including gray triggerfish, amberjacks, and mahi mahi. These fisheries are managed by regional fishery management councils in the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. While "Essential Fish Habitat" status itself does not restrict harvest, NOAA Fisheries consultation is required for any federal activities in these areas that may impact the habitat. In a separate management plan, NOAA Fisheries prohibits harvest of *Sargassum* in all U.S. federal waters (between 3 miles to 200 nautical miles) south of the North Carolina/South Carolina state boundary. *Sargassum* is also designated as Critical Habitat for threatened loggerhead sea turtles in certain areas of the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. *Image credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife* NOAA Fisheries
 **Conducting Research**  When excessive amounts of *Sargassum* reach the shore, it is referred to as a "*Sargassum* inundation event," or SIE for short. Such events can become "harmful algal blooms" — when algae grows out of control or produces toxins that harm people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) coordinates cross-agency actions during such events. This office funds research to understand and manage harmful algal blooms, which includes improving detection and forecasting technologies. NCCOS also engages with people affected by *Sargassum* to aid in the design of more accurate and timely warnings. In addition, NCCOS is studying the social and economic impacts of *Sargassum* beaching.  *Image credit: Life on the Edge 2004* National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Interagency Working Group for the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA)
 **Helping with Response**  NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration may provide scientific support for inundation events that receive a federal emergency declaration, such as the 2022 declared emergency in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Experts in this office are also studying and preparing for responding to oil and chemical spills that involve *Sargassum.* In addition, NOAA's Office for Coastal Management provides expertise and training to communities to address coastal issues with the goal to increase the resilience of the nation's coastal zone. *Image credit: NOAA* Office of Response and Restoration Office for Coastal Management
   Infographic Description The top two lines of this infographic say "*Sargassum*: from sea to shore" and "What is *Sargassum*, where does it come from, and what happens when it washes ashore?" Underneath this text, there is an illustration that shows *Sargassum*, a brown and orange-tinted algae, in the open ocean on the far left, within the U.S. federal waters in the middle, and a coastal *Sargassum* inundation event (beaching) on the right. The illustration is three-dimensional, showing the surface of the ocean and land, as well as a cross section of the ocean below. The bottom right of this graphic shows the NOAA logo and a note that says "This diagram is not drawn to scale and is meant for illustrative purposes only." The following are descriptions of each of the three sections of this illustration:  The left section of the illustration shows a vast mat of *Sargassum,* representing the Great Atlantic *Sargassum* belt in the open ocean. This section is labeled with the number "1" in a blue circle, which corresponds to the first bullet of text in this article: "Out at Sea: The Great Atlantic *Sargassum* Belt." Underneath the image representing the Great Atlantic *Sargassum* Belt, the silhouette of small schools of fish are visible. Below this, there is a sweeping arrow rising up from under the ocean, which is labeled "Offshore Currents." This represents how currents, along with winds, push *Sargassum* from the open ocean towards land.
          
          The middle section of the illustration shows *Sargassum* floating in what are called rafts or lines. This section is labeled with the number "2" in a blue circle, which corresponds to the second bullet of text in this article: "Closer to Shore: Essential Fish Habitat." *Sargassum* is shown floating in between two red lines on the graphic: the first red line, on the left, designates the boundary of the U.S. federal waters, which is 200 nautical miles from the U.S. coastline; the second red line, on the right, indicates the starting point of U.S. state waters (three miles out from the U.S. coastline). In the ocean, below the *Sargassum,* many species of fish swim, including mahi mahi, triggerfish, and amberjacks. There is also a sea turtle and corals on the bottom of the ocean. On the surface, there is a fishing boat near the *Sargassum*. Above in the sky, there are sea birds. And above that, there is a satellite with a beam focused down on the ocean, representing how NOAA satellites are used to track and monitor movement of the *Sargassum*.
          
          The right section of the illustration is from the area (dashed red line) where U.S. state waters begin at three miles out all the way to the shore. This section is labeled with the number "3" in a blue circle, which corresponds to the third bullet of text in this article: "On Shore: *Sargassum* Inundation Events." In this portion of the graphic, the bulk of the *Sargassum* is shown washed up on shore, and there is some floating Sargassum nearshore representing a “brown tide.” On the beach where the *Sargassum* is washed up, there is text that says "*Sargassum* inundation event." There is a person with a shovel and a bulldozer on shore cleaning up the *Sargassum*. Another nearby worker who is engaged in cleaning up the *Sargassum* is coughing, indicating the public health concerns of this inundation event. In the forefront of the graphic, there is a desalination plant with a water intake pipe in the ocean, which is shown clogged by *Sargassum*. In the background, there is a hotel and an empty beach chair, representing how there are no tourists present due to the beaching of the *Sargassum.*
 More **Information** Download *Sargassum* Infographic Frequently Asked Questions *Sargassum* in the Southeastern United States (NOAA Fisheries) *Sargassum* Frequently Asked Questions (NOAA AOML) *Sargassum* General Information and FAQs (NOAA Coastwatch) Experimental Weekly *Sargassum* Inundation Report On Sea Turtles, Seaweed, and Oil Spills Oil Spills and Pelagic *Sargassum* Planning and Response Considerations *Sargassum* Impacts at Palmas del Mar What is the Sargasso Sea? What is *Sargassum*? (Ocean Exploration Facts) *Sargassum* Inundation Events (EPA) *Sargassum* Watch System and Outlook (Univ. South Florida)   Get **Social** Social
  **Last updated:** 11/09/23 **Author:** NOAA How to cite this article Contact Us


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