Seaweed keeps washing ashore on Longboat

The town of Longboat Key isn’t in the business of removing seaweed from its beaches. And, it turns out the town would be fighting a losing battle even if it tried.

Tropical Storm Debby, which passed through Longboat Key more than a month ago, churned up tons of seaweed that usually stays in the Gulf. The smelly brown clumps continue to make their way to shore on a daily basis.

Town Manager Dave Bullock traveled the beach Saturday from Beer Can Island to the Longboat Key Club and Resort for a firsthand look at mounting piles. He also visited Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island and Lido Beach in Sarasota to see how those beaches compare with the Key.

“No matter where you look, it’s on the beaches, and more of it seems to always be ready to come ashore,” Bullock said.

Bullock said the town is monitoring the situation and has noticed the seaweed “might be starting to show signs of breaking up a bit in the Gulf.”

In the event of red tide or fish kills, the town will rake seaweed from its beach. But the town doesn’t pick up regular seaweed that comes ashore, no matter how much of it plops onto the sand.

“We aren’t doing any cleaning, and we’re monitoring turtle nests that were relocated during Debby and just now are starting to hatch,” Bullock said.

The town, however, has contacted the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to inquire about businesses and residents obtaining permits to rake the beach behind them.

“Some private raking and cleaning is already going on for those who already hold permits, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” Bullock said.

Bullock has also directed Public Works Director Juan Florensa to do some periodic seaweed test raking, although the amount of seaweed coming ashore means the raking will not help.

“The town doesn’t have the resources to clean the entire beach, but if we can obtain permission from FDEP that will allow individual condos or resorts to clean the area in front of their facilities, our residents and visitors will have a better experience,” said Bullock in an email to a concerned resident.

It would be costly to remove the large amount of wet seaweed, which would require the use of large heavy equipment. The equipment could negatively impact turtle and shorebird nests.

Sarasota County, meanwhile, is cleaning the seaweed on Siesta Beach and will start cleaning Lido Beach Thursday, Aug. 23. More than 200 tons of seaweed has been collected so far, and that number is expected to climb to more than 300 tons. Much of the seaweed is being swashed back into the Gulf during tides.