Seaweed-don't miss it!

**30A Skunkape** · 05-30-2008, 08:34 AM

We went to the beach yesterday afternoon. At first we were mad because there was tons of seaweed washing up and it was a bit, um, pungent. I was surf fishing and as the stuff floated by, I noticed all sorts of critters that were hitchhiking on the sargassum. I gave up on fishing and started really looking at the little biospheres and it was amazing! Shrimp, crabs, all sorts of fish with markings similar to the weed were all over the stuff. Here is a link:http://www.imagequestmarine.com/phot...ssum/index.htm

I urge everyone to take a look, especially if you have kids. They will be fascinated!

**Smiling JOe** · 05-30-2008, 08:39 AM

checking out the sargassum clumps floating in the water offers better snorkeling than the rest of the barren sandy ocean floor. Once onshore, the sargassum and June Grass provide great critter habitats and act as beach builders. Sargassum pods also make a salty salad.

**rapunzel** · 05-30-2008, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

checking out the sargassum clumps floating in the water offers better snorkeling than the rest of the barren sandy ocean floor. Once onshore, the sargassum and June Grass provide great critter habitats and act as beach builders. Sargassum pods also make a salty salad.

Ooh! Recipe, please!

**kathydwells** · 05-30-2008, 08:42 AM

Cool Website!!! Thanks Skunky!!!

**Smiling JOe** · 05-30-2008, 08:51 AM

no recipe, punzy. just pic a few of the floating pods from the sargassum and eat them while out in the water. They have a nice light salty flavor. I've heard of people picking the pods and toasting them, to make little crunchies for salad toppers and such. Don't know if you are supposed to use the green ones or the ones which have turned brown. I've been eating the green ones.

Here is another link on the wonders of Sargassum Grass. www.marlinmag.com/article.jsp?ID=17095

**BeachSiO2** · 05-30-2008, 09:00 AM

Unfortunately, it won't be long until the calls start coming in for the TDC to rake it up and take it off the beach.

However, this yearly influx of seaweed is very good for the beach, in addition to what Skunky was talking about. Sandy beaches are for lack of a better description, a desert wasteland, as far as organic fertilizer goes. When the seaweed washes up on the beach, it dries out rather quickly leaving that wonderful odor that everyone appreciates

. After it dries it breaks up and is blown all around the beach and most importantly up into the dunes. This is the major non-human source of fertilizer for our dunes outside of rainwater so it is very important for the dunes and beaches.

That being said, the question often comes up, why don't you go ahead and move it to the toe of the dunes. Well, the answer is that the County can't do it as if they touch it, it has to be taken off the beach which is bad for the beach and is impractical as quickly as it washes in. This is due to state and federal permitting issues. So now you know why the County does not actively participate in seaweed removal and why it is good for the beach.

**Gypsea** · 05-30-2008, 09:05 AM

OK, OK, no more complaining about seaweed.

**beachpirate** · 05-30-2008, 09:19 AM

Oh nooo. the dreaded June grass! I leave for vacation tomm. Tell me it's not that bad.

**jodiFL** · 05-30-2008, 09:33 AM

I am very glad to see we are finally getting a good dose of Mother Natures own beach renourishment. And it didnt cost a dime!

**Smiling JOe** · 05-30-2008, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by beachpirate

Oh nooo. the dreaded June grass! I leave for vacation tomm. Tell me it's not that bad.

not here YET

**Rita** · 05-30-2008, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by 30A Skunkape

We went to the beach yesterday afternoon. At first we were mad because there was tons of seaweed washing up and it was a bit, um, pungent. I was surf fishing and as the stuff floated by, I noticed all sorts of critters that were hitchhiking on the sargassum. I gave up on fishing and started really looking at the little biospheres and it was amazing! Shrimp, crabs, all sorts of fish with markings similar to the weed were all over the stuff. Here is a link:http://www.imagequestmarine.com/phot...ssum/index.htm

I urge everyone to take a look, especially if you have kids. They will be fascinated!

.

I have seen the crabs and a few other things in it before, but would love to see an angler fish!

.

**avalon** · 05-30-2008, 10:00 AM

Think of the seaweed as a spa treatment! Great micronutrients for the skin, ask any esthetician.

**jodiFL** · 05-30-2008, 10:01 AM

Does anyone remember the year it was so bad that one of the floats in the July 4th parade featured it? I think it was our own Dave R. that wore the gas mask on that float.

**BeachSiO2** · 05-30-2008, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by greenroomsurfer

The Tdc better not move a thing. The Seaweed is an important part of the dune building process not to mention beach manicuring I believe is against the law.

I am not sure how you missed it, but if you re-read the last sentence of my post you will see that the TDC DOES NOT remove the seaweed even though they get numerous requests to do so. As a matter of fact the information I posted is exactly what the TDC tells people when they get the phone calls. The only rare exception is if there is a specific small area that has dangerous debris mixed into it like happened after the passage of the hurricanes in 2004-05 that had broken boards with nails, etc.

On the other hand mechanical beach cleaning is legal in Florida if permitted and done under certain conditions. Once again, the TDC DOES NOT do mechanical beach cleaning either.

**BeachSiO2** · 05-30-2008, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by greenroomsurfer

Opps! not tryin to diss ya Your in front of you and the other Auburn chick that is reading over my shoulder.

Originally Posted by greenroomsurfer

I thought I was in the College Football Thread. My bad!

No worries. I just don't want them under the bus for something they try to be proactive about. Now let's all go eat some Sargassum.

**ASH** · 05-30-2008, 10:17 AM

Walked from Ed Walline to the Retreat this morning and there is a pretty fair line of the weeds at the shoreline. Also noted a green tinge to the water gathering right at the sand that I think will create that slime that gets into everything and makes fishing bad for a few weeks. No smell yet though.

Are you folks really serious about eating that stuff or is someone pulling a stunt just to see someone actually try it so you can laugh your arse off at them?

**beachpirate** · 05-30-2008, 12:19 PM

I am looking forward to my surf fishing (selfish me) and really hope that it does not ruin it. It can really gunk up the lines and make it not worth doing. Oh well.

**Beach Runner** · 05-30-2008, 12:37 PM

I was raving to everyone about how clear the water was. Then on Tuesday the seaweed appeared.

At least it's not that slimey green stuff.

JB · 05-30-2008, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Unfortunately, it won't be long until the calls start coming in for the TDC to rake it up and take it off the beach.

However, this yearly influx of seaweed is very good for the beach, in addition to what Skunky was talking about. Sandy beaches are for lack of a better description, a desert wasteland, as far as organic fertilizer goes. When the seaweed washes up on the beach, it dries out rather quickly leaving that wonderful odor that everyone appreciates

. After it dries it breaks up and is blown all around the beach and most importantly up into the dunes. This is the major non-human source of fertilizer for our dunes outside of rainwater so it is very important for the dunes and beaches.

That being said, the question often comes up, why don't you go ahead and move it to the toe of the dunes. Well, the answer is that the County can't do it as if they touch it, it has to be taken off the beach which is bad for the beach and is impractical as quickly as it washes in. This is due to state and federal permitting issues. So now you know why the County does not actively participate in seaweed removal and why it is good for the beach.

The beach service guys at High Pointe were raking it up last year because people, uh, actually complained about it. A deputy on a four-wheeler drove by and made them stop, citing the exact reasons mentioned by you and SJ.

**beachpirate** · 05-30-2008, 03:05 PM

Can anyone post a pic of the beach....si I can get an idea of what I am up against....Thanks
guys

**ASH** · 05-30-2008, 03:06 PM

I'll probably be down there shortly. I see that my phone.....is not working....too well this afternoon. Will also hit the beach in the AM. I will post after that of what it looks like near Ed Walline in SRB.

**30A Skunkape** · 05-30-2008, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by beachpirate

Can anyone post a pic of the beach....si I can get an idea of what I am up against....Thanks
guys

This isn't SOWAL, but it is pretty much what it was like yesterday.

**ASH** · 05-30-2008, 03:12 PM

My area wasn't quite that bad, but probably will be in a few days.

**Sand Angel** · 05-30-2008, 03:16 PM

I love the sargassum! It is great fun to see what is living in all the clumps washing in. We have found some really great little creatures in it. I know a lot of people complain about it, but if you can't fish for dinner, try looking at the little guys hanging out in the sargassum that you will be able to catch for dinner in a few years.

No sargassum = No hiding places for little fish = No big fish to catch later

**beachpirate** · 05-30-2008, 04:36 PM

thanks for the boost....

**Smiling JOe** · 05-31-2008, 11:45 PM

Got some pics of two different Sargassum Angler Fish, today, and some shaky, splashy video. Also saw some very different crabs living in the Sargassum Grass. Will try to remember to post tomorrow. Oh yeah, found plenty of trash some of which appears to have been at sea for a while, covered with barnacles.

**JustBeachy** · 06-01-2008, 08:12 AM

Awww, it's not too bad, really. Although as mentioned above, there has been some sea-trash mixed in, but also some pretty neat stuff...found a watch that had been 'out to sea' for a while. The band was in bad shape, but the watch is the kind that 'takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'. Also picked up a good bit of drift wood, and since I'm the kind of gal that appreciates 'found art'...

**Jdarg** · 06-01-2008, 08:21 AM

I can't wait to get to the beach today and examine this seaweed!

**JustBeachy** · 06-01-2008, 08:28 AM

I can't wait to get to the beach today and examine this seaweed!

Maybe around lunch time, so you can enjoy a nice beach 'salad'?

**Smiling JOe** · 06-01-2008, 08:31 AM

take a few garbage bags and we can have a clean up day, while all the trash is washed up.

Grayton, yesterday.

Blue Mtn Beach, yesterday.
The Sargassum is pretty much everywhere I've been, but some places there is more than others.

**Smiling JOe** · 06-01-2008, 08:43 AM

This Sargassum Fish was caught by Little GreenRoomSurfer (who is also a fish), and was quickly released unharmed after a few quick photos.

**Jdarg** · 06-01-2008, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

take a few garbage bags and we can have a clean up day, while all the trash is washed up.

Grayton, yesterday.

Blue Mtn Beach, yesterday.
The Sargassum is pretty much everywhere I've been, but some places there is more than others.

Cool! I love how our beaches are different every single day. How boring it would be if they were just sand all the time...

**Sand Angel** · 06-01-2008, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

This Sargassum Fish was caught by Little GreenRoomSurfer (who is also a fish), and was quickly released unharmed after a few quick photos.

She's there swimming and fishing again today.... was very excited about all the cool stuff she caught and released yesterday.

**Mark Partington** · 06-01-2008, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by greenroomsurfer

The Tdc better not move a thing. The Seaweed is an important part of the dune building process not to mention beach manicuring I believe is against the law.

I think picking "Artists" is a bit out of their realm also. 2plagarisms in 2 major events.

**Beach Runner** · 06-01-2008, 03:51 PM

Sorry to have disparaged seaweed. I am so clueless about such matters that I didn't know its purpose.

Duh me.

God has a purpose for everything. "Strange loops" are not random.

**SWGB** · 06-01-2008, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Got some pics of two different Sargassum Angler Fish, today, and some shaky, splashy video. Also saw some very different crabs living in the Sargassum Grass. Will try to remember to post tomorrow. Oh yeah, found plenty of trash some of which appears to have been at sea for a while, covered with barnacles.

Did you see the piece on CNN about garbage island?

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bes...age.island.cnn

**ASH** · 06-02-2008, 08:12 AM

OK, no reason to post any of my pics. The rest of you already pretty much hit it. I started at Navarre this weekend and the weeds and wood were pretty thick on the beach. The jelly fish were so bad that I couldn't fish. I got hit about 5 different times from Nettle Jelly's and then wussed out on fishing any more. Sting wore off in about a half hour. Went to Okaloosa Island and the weeds were still off shore a hundred yards or so, but working their way in. Walked West and snorkled for awhile and really hit a jackpot of shells. Jelly's were few on Okaloosa. It will only be a couple days before the beach smells pretty bad with the heat we are having right now.

**Smiling JOe** · 06-02-2008, 08:21 AM

Sargassum Grass at Grayton is now almost completely buried by sand.

**ASH** · 06-02-2008, 08:40 AM

I got to see lots of the fish that are right in the weeds. People were scooping them into buckets so that others back on shore could see them too. There was another organism that I am trying to find out what it was, it loooked like a weed, but shifted back and forth to propel itself. It looked like puffy weeds and was different then the fish that swam amongst the weeds. I held it in my goggles to show my wife before letting it go.
I hears someone call it a Spanish something or another, but don't fully remember.

**mikecatadjuster** · 06-02-2008, 09:27 PM

I've been enjoying the water for the past week and a half and while there has been some seaweed, the water has been absolutely gorgeous. It isn't bad at all from my standpoint.

**Teresa** · 06-02-2008, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by jodiFL

Does anyone remember the year it was so bad that one of the floats in the July 4th parade featured it? I think it was our own Dave R. that wore the gas mask on that float.

that sounds hilarious! would love to see a pic!!!

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

This Sargassum Fish was caught by Little GreenRoomSurfer (who is also a fish), and was quickly released unharmed after a few quick photos.

that is so coooool!!!!!!!!!! thanks sj.

we swam at the gulf a few times last week, instead of the lake at grayton, and noticed sargassum but it surely did not detract from the beauty of the water and beach - not at all! the beach is glorious in all its forms. it is forever changing while at the same time going through very seasonal/predictable cycles.

**Smiling JOe** · 06-02-2008, 11:41 PM

Did you see the video, yet?

**Teresa** · 06-02-2008, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Did you see the video, yet?

no, am I suppose to be checking a certain thread or place on the board for vids?

**Smiling JOe** · 06-02-2008, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Tootsie

no, am I suppose to be checking a certain thread or place on the board for vids?

Sorry. I'm not sure if the video segment of SoWal has yet to be launched. I just figured you might have some inside scoop, and be able to view it. I uploaded it this afternoon. -- It is mostly a bunch of bubbles and gurgling noises.

**Teresa** · 06-02-2008, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Sorry. I'm not sure if the video segment of SoWal has yet to be launched. I just figured you might have some inside scoop, and be able to view it. I uploaded it this afternoon. -- It is mostly a bunch of bubbles and gurgling noises.

can't wait!

**gardening1970** · 06-05-2008, 03:37 PM

So how's that nutritious seaweed looking these days? My group will be down on Saturday. I'm not complaining - just managing expectations of those in our group who might be ignorant to the environmental benefits of the Sargassum and other marine vegetation.

Okay, okay - maybe I 'd like a day or 2 of clear water also. Thanks in advance for the heads up.

**SWGB** · 06-05-2008, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by gardening1970

So how's that nutritious seaweed looking these days? My group will be down on Saturday. I'm not complaining - just managing expectations of those in our group who might be ignorant to the environmental benefits of the Sargassum and other marine vegetation.

Okay, okay - maybe I 'd like a day or 2 of clear water also. Thanks in advance for the heads up.

I'd just tell them there is tons, about a foot and a half deep covering the entire beach. They'll be plesently surprised when they find a lot less. That's what my parents did when we went to the beach.

**Smiling JOe** · 06-05-2008, 09:06 PM

good idea gaiboy. It depends on where you look, but compared to the peak, I don't even notice it. Much of it is covered with sand, but by Sunday, you have no idea of what it may be like. Maybe the June Grass will wash up by then, or maybe the water will be completely free of all of it.

**SWGB** · 06-05-2008, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

good idea gaiboy. It depends on where you look, but compared to the peak, I don't even notice it. Much of it is covered with sand, but by Sunday, you have no idea of what it may be like. Maybe the June Grass will wash up by then, or maybe the water will be completely free of all of it.

That's true, of the real funn is when it starts decomposing under the sand. Peeeuuu.

Not the best time to go digging in the sand.

**arkiegirl** · 06-18-2008, 10:36 AM

My mom is in Seagrove and is asking me to post about the seaweed--or what ever is in the water right now.

What causes this and how long does it typically last? They said it was clear on Monday but yesterday and today it is gross. From past experience I told her it would come and go, but I have no idea what brings it in or takes it out.

Do you know how far down the beach it goes?