Seaweed surfaces on LBK beaches

Clumps of seaweed that have washed up on Longboat Key’s beaches over the past few days are lingering effects of Tropical Storm Debby.

Seaweed is always floating in the Gulf of Mexico, but the storm-related wave and wind action most likely pushed it to shore.

In the event of red tide or fish kills, the town will rake seaweed from its beach.

But in an event like the current wash up, in which the seaweed is harmless and will likely disappear within a few days, the town has never raked the beach because of the costs and because seaweed can have a beneficial environmental impact.

For more information, pick up an Aug. 2 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].