05/31/2026
Does this sight look familiar? If you’ve visited our beaches over the last couple of weeks you’ve probably noticed sargassum washing ashore, so we thought we’d share a few interesting facts about it!
Most of the sargassum that washes up on our beaches is a free-floating seaweed that forms large mats out in the Gulf. Believe it or not, it is actually a type of brown macroalgae.
While it may not seem ideal when you’re hoping for a picture-perfect beach photo, sargassum plays an important role in our coastal ecosystem. Out in the Gulf, these floating mats provide shelter and protection for juvenile marine life such as sea turtles, crabs, seahorses, and fish. Once it washes ashore, it helps return nutrients to the beach and supports the health of our shoreline ecosystem.
So the next time you spot sargassum along the beach remember, it’s more than just seaweed. It’s an important part of a healthy and thriving coast!
📸:Hannah Russell, Alabama State Parks
