Issue 96 - May 2023

Atlantic Ocean off Florida Spawns a Giant Sargassum Blob Due to Climate Change & Nutrient Pollution

Contributed By Dr. Rob Moir

The Sargassum Blob, a vast expanse of sargassum weed the size of Texas, has been discovered far out in the Atlantic Ocean below the Sargasso Sea. Sargassum weed was not expected here for lack of nutrients. Climate change has played a part in nutrients coming from three directions to turn blue water into a golden floating rainforest threatening Florida beaches.

In the central Atlantic Ocean, there is a belt characterized by massive floating mats of seaweed called sargassum. The belt stretches from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, covering an area of approximately 3,417 square miles.

The Sargasso Sea is a sea unconstrained by land. To the north, it is bounded by currents to become a sea within the Atlantic Ocean. It’s known for vast floating mats of leafy marine algae with spherical float bladders that reminded Columbus of grapes, called Sargassum. This seaweed lives entirely away from land, unlike most other seaweeds with holdfasts that anchor it to the substrate.

Sargassum has been discovered flourishing in a sea south of the Sargasso Sea. The Azores Current flows south where the African continent recedes from the Americas. Here, the current splits and goes in two directions. Some current flows West to encircle the bottom of the Sargasso Sea while some current flows Southeast to join the Westerly Equatorial Drift. Because the Earth spins to the East, the Equatorial Drift goes West. It is from this sea, formed by the Westerly flowing Azores Current on the north side and the Westerly Equatorial Current to the south, that the Sargassum Blob threatens Florida.

Nutrient Loading From Three Directions

This greensward on a sea below the Azores Current the size of Texas is the result of plant life finding nutrients in a previously barren seascape. In the tropical Atlantic Ocean with plenty of warmth and sunlight, climate change has dramatically increasednutrient loading from three directions.

More nutrient-rich cold Arctic waters are flowing into the Atlantic Ocean due to the more open Arctic Ocean. In autumn, more sea ice is forming than ever before. When sea ice freezes, the ice is fresh so that the water may turn to ice. Salts left behind increase the density of cold water that is at the freezing temperature. This briny water sinks to displace water laterally. This is called thermohaline circulation. In the Denmark Strait between Iceland and Greenland, cold, nutrient-rich Arctic waters meet warm, nutrient-poor Atlantic waters and plunge down 11,000 feet to flow south into the Atlantic beneath the less dense seawater. As a result, Svalbard is suffering from more warm Gulf Stream water coursing back into the Arctic Ocean.

From Africa, more nutrient-rich dust is blowing off the Sahara. The land dries as a result of long dry periods and more droughts. The prevailing Westerly winds carry more dust out over the Atlantic to seed the waters with more nutrients.

Finally, there are more extreme weather events, more water sluicing to the sea along with the cutting of more forests, and more developments with excessive amounts of fertilizer. Sargassum does not discriminate between nutrient sources. There is more drawdown of carbon dioxide from the air and more carbohydrates for biomass and exudate to feed fungi, bacteria, and microbes. There are more Sargassum ecosystems flourishing in clear waters.

A Golden Wildlife Oasis

Frilly sargassum, a brown macroalgae, provides critical habitat and teams with life for a not-yet-fully-understood diversity of marine life. Sunlight streams through the lacey greens where there are no apparent shadows earning this place the name “golden floating rainforest of the Atlantic.” The sargassum fish, with the scientific name of Histrio histrio meaning stage actor, dresses the part with frilled appendages and the ability to change colors to match the seaweed. The planehead filefish with a flat head is, well, plainer. However, planehead fish are more agile, quick-moving, and more numerous than sargassum fish.

This is home for the sargassum swimming crab and the sargassum seahorse with a tail grasping leafy fronds to stay upright. In this sheltered bright green nursery, male seahorses brood eggs until they hatch, and young seahorses come out of the pouch.

In the “forest” dwell gold and emerald juvenile mahi-mahi, jacks, flying fishes, triggerfish, and juvenile loggerhead sea turtles. Larger predators patrol in the water below the drapes of seaweed including wahoo, amberjack, blue marlin, and sailfish.

What’s Good for the Ocean May Be Bad for Beaches

The good news is that the ocean is pulling more carbon out of the atmosphere than ever before, creating lots of biomass and entire ecosystems full of marine life. The bad news is when all that organic carbon arrives on Florida’s shores.

When large quantities of Sargassum wash up on beaches, it can make the sand unsightly and cause a foul smell akin to rotten eggs, causing respiratory problems. The large mats of Sargassum can also make navigation difficult for boats and ships, particularly those with propellers. This can pose a safety hazard and increase the risk of accidents. Fishing derbies are canceled at great expense.

Unfortunately, because it is always complex, there is more bad news. Corexit, a toxic forever chemical used as a dispersant to break up oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, has been found in Sargassum Weed.

Sargassum coming to shore can negatively impact marine life. When the seaweed accumulates in large amounts, it can smother and kill sea grasses, other marine plants, essential habitats, and food sources for many species. Manatees in Florida are already starving due to the lack of seagrass smothered by harmful algal blooms and cut up by propellers.

As Sargassum breaks down, it releases organic matter that rots and can lead to oxygen depletion in the water. This can create “dead zones” that harm fish and other marine life.

While Sargassum is a crucial component of ocean ecosystems, excessive amounts can negatively impact the environment and economy of coastal regions.

We will continue to see the unintended consequences of rising global temperatures and the use of harmful chemicals. It becomes even more apparent that everything is connected, from the Arctic Ocean, the Sahara Desert, and rivers to the Atlantic Ocean to the coast of Florida.

Everyone must do their part to combat this climate crisis. From slowing water down, keeping water in our neighborhoods, not fertilizing lawns so grass will pull down more carbon and build more soil, and pressuring our lawmakers to take big, bold actions, our efforts will make a world of difference on land, shore and sea.

More Articles from Dr. Rob Moir

Dr. Rob Moir is a nationally-recognized and award-winning environmentalist. He is president & executive director of Cambridge, MA-based Ocean River Institute, a nonprofit providing expertise, services, resources, and information unavailable on a localized level to support the efforts of environmental organizations. Please visit www.oceanriver.org for more information.

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Feature Destination: The Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine

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Second Annual Plastic-Free Parks TrashBlitz Launched Ahead of Earth Day, Tracking Plastic Pollution Trends in the U.S. National Parks

Issue 96 - May 2023

Event Summary: SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup and Coral Restoration from April 30, 2023

At Koh Kwang Beach, our volunteers joined forces to tackle the daunting task of cleaning up our shores. Together, we collected over 260 kg of trash, demonstrating that when we unite in purpose, we can make a tangible difference. While most of the trash was unrecyclable, this sobering reality only fuels our determination to find innovative solutions and promote responsible consumption.

But our efforts extend far beyond the beach cleanup. Last month, we embarked on an exciting journey of coral restoration in the captivating Krabi region. We are super excited to report that we have already nurtured 334 corals in our growing coral nursery. The progress is inspiring, with six and a half of the eight planned legs completed. Each coral nurtured brings us closer to creating a thriving underwater ecosystem, one that will serve as a testament to our collective dedication.

What’s even more exciting is that our coral garden will be designed in the shape of our logo. This visual representation not only symbolizes our commitment to marine conservation but also acts as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all who witness it. It serves as a reminder that together, we can turn dreams into reality and create a sustainable future for our oceans.

While our achievements are undoubtedly worth celebrating, we invite you to join us in supporting our ongoing initiatives. Your generous contributions can help us continue organizing beach cleanup events, nurturing corals, and expanding our conservation efforts.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all our dedicated volunteers, supporters, and partners. Your unwavering dedication and passion fuel our progress, and we are honoured to have you as part of our SEVENSEAS Media family. Let us continue to work hand in hand, preserving our precious oceans and inspiring others to join our cause. However, we recognize that our journey requires continued support to make a lasting impact.

To all the kind souls who resonate with our mission, we humbly ask for your support. Your donations to SEVENSEAS Media will directly contribute to the success of our beach cleanup and coral restoration events. With your generosity, we can expand our reach, enhance our efforts, and create an even greater positive change for our oceans and marine life.

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Issue 96 - May 2023

SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – May 2023 – Issue 96

Feature Destination

Martinique: A Paradise Island in the Heart of the Caribbean

As you step off the plane and feel the warm sun on your skin, you’ll know you’ve arrived in Martinique, a tropical paradise in the heart of the Caribbean. With its white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush rainforests, Martinique is the ultimate destination for those seeking relaxation, adventure, and culture. Read more…

The Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine

The Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine (FPBM) in Martinique is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of marine biodiversity in Martinique and the Caribbean region. Read more…

Martinique’s Marine Protected Areas

Martinique, a French overseas territory located in the Caribbean, is home to several marine protected areas (MPAs) that are crucial for the conservation of its marine ecosystem. MPAs are designated areas that aim to protect and conserve marine life and habitats while allowing for sustainable use by humans. Read more…

NEWSROOM

Scientists Discover Three New Hydrothermal Vent Fields on Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Scientists have discovered three new hydrothermal vent fields over a 434-mile-long stretch of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge during the first scientific expedition aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s recently launched research vessel Falkor (too). Read more…

Atlantic Ocean off Florida Spawns a Giant Sargassum Blob Due to Climate Change & Nutrient Pollution

The 2022 Volcanic Explosion in Tonga Was the Largest Natural Explosion in Over a Century

A new study led by scientists at the University of Miami and the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation measured the size of the Tongan tsunami and found that it was similar in size to the one caused by the eruption of Krakatoa in 1883. Read more…

SAWFISH NEWS: Sawfish Experts Mark Endangered Species Listing 20th Anniversary

Twenty years after the Smalltooth Sawfish was listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), experts on the associated Recovery Team met in the Everglades to share updates, agree on the next steps for improved conservation, conduct additional field research, and generally celebrate the species. Read more…

Ocean Artist & Scientific Illustrator, on The Importance of Art in Supporting Ocean Conservation

Janavi Kramer is an internationally-selling Ocean Artist and Scientific Illustrator based in Hertfordshire with a lifelong fascination with the Ocean. Using vibrant and visceral colours, her work emulates a unique quality that showcases the wonders of the Ocean. Read more…

PADI Launches Suite of Sustainability Initiatives to Unite Ocean Torchbearers On Earth Day

This Earth Day, PADI® (Professional Association of Diving Instructors®) is launching two powerful and complementing sustainability initiatives designed to empower tourists to travel with a purpose and create positive ocean change from abroad and from home. Read more…

Aquarium Releases Dozens of Rehabilitated Sea Turtles in N.C.

Two dozen sea turtles are back in the ocean waters off of North Carolina after undergoing months of rehabilitative care at the New England Aquarium. Biologists from the Aquarium drove the 24 turtles down to Fort Fisher, N.C., and released them Monday as a crowd of bystanders looked on. Read more…

Decades-Long Study Finds Endangered Whales are Having Fewer Babies

A world-class collaborative research project has found that the Australian population of southern right whales is calving less frequently and fewer whales visited our coastlines this whale season than expected, putting further pressure on the already endangered species. Read more…

BOATLIFE: Exploring The Freedom of Maritime Living

Hohonu, an award-winning Hawaiʻi-based climate tech startup, announced it has completed a $1.8 million pre-seed funding round to scale its efforts to provide actionable data and insights to mitigate coastal flooding both nationally and internationally including Asia and the Pacific. Read more…

What Can We Do to Save Dying Coral Reefs?

Coral reefs around the world are indeed still at great risk. A comprehensive survey by Canadian researchers in 2021 shows that the world’s oceans have lost about half of their coral cover since the 1950s. The non-profit Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network reports that upwards of 14 percent of the world’s coral reefs perished in just the last decade. Read more…

Greenwich to Host Conservation Champions’ Exhibition: Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier

“Greenwich is honored to welcome Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier, two of the most globally celebrated photographers of our generation, for this exhibition and event series,” says Fred Camillo, the Town of Greenwich’s First Selectman. Read more…

“Race Against Time” To Discover Ocean Life Prompts Launch of Global Initiative

The largest programme in history to discover life in our ocean has been unveiled (April 27 2023) with the ambitious target of finding at least 100,000 new marine species in the first decade. Read more…

Second Annual Plastic-Free Parks TrashBlitz Launched Ahead of Earth Day, Tracking Plastic Pollution Trends in the U.S. National Parks

The 5 Gyres Institute announces the second annual Plastic-Free Parks TrashBlitz project, a community science initiative to track plastic pollution trends in U.S. National Parks and on federal lands. Volunteers around the country can participate by collecting trash at any land managed by the National Park Service and logging their findings. This data will contribute to a report that reveals the top items, materials, and brands of waste found across U.S. national parks and federal lands and outlines recommendations on the federal, local, and individual levels. Read more…

SEVENSEAS Beach Cleanup & Coral Restoration Events in Marine Protected Areas

In August 2022 CleanUp, we picked up over 80 kilogram of plastic, pieces of glasses, tractor tyre, and fishing nets from the beach in Krabi, Long Beach or Pan Beach. Of course, we would not be able to do it without your support. You can make a tax-deductible donation here to keep our publications and Thailand Cleanup Project afloat.

You can either make a direct financial contribution to SEVENSEAS Media through The Ocean Foundation website or connect us with potential donors by sending an email to Giacomo Abrusci, our Editor-in-Chief.

The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here.

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here.

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Conservation Photography

Greenwich Hosted Conservation Champions’ Exhibition: Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier

“These artists/conservation champions have created some of the most iconic wildlife images of our modern-day culture. They are internationally acclaimed for harnessing the majestic beauty of their images to inspire change on our planet, via their 12 million followers worldwide. Greenwich is thrilled to host their new exhibition and Opening Reception events at C. Parker Gallery on the weekend of May 5,” adds Camillo.

The exclusive Tri-State appearance by the Award-Winning
Photographers Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier:
New exhibition kicks off SeaLegacy.org’s next chapter
(special events in Greenwich the weekend of May 5 ‒ free & open to the public).

The exhibition Double Exposure: Two Photographers, One Mission at C. Parker Gallery features more than 30 large-scale photographs by Nicklen and Mittermeier (on view May 1 ‒ June 26). Presented in partnership with the Town of Greenwich Conservation Commission, the Greenwich Shellfish Commission, and the Greenwich Point Conservancy, this new exhibition features several works which have never been exhibited to the public at this size and scope and is curated by C. Parker Gallery’s proprietor, Tiffany Benincasa. The Gallery is located at 409 Greenwich Avenue. More details about the Opening Reception events featuring Nicklen and Mittermeier, will be updated at cparkergallery.com (space is limited, RSVP required to info@cparkergallery.com). Learn more about the artists at sealegacy.org, paulnicklen.com and cristinamittermeier.com.

Defying Gravity, 2011 Ross Sea, Antarctica

“The C. Parker Gallery is thrilled to present the work of two of the most internationally acclaimed conservation photographers,” says Tiffany Benincasa, the Gallery’s curator and owner. “Their photographs are included in some of the world’s most important private collections, and have been featured as iconic images by major national media including National Geographic and TIME Magazine. This is an incredible opportunity to witness the beauty of nature in an intimate and personal way, to share their important message, and join their mission advocating for greater conservation and environmental awareness.”

Reflecting the Natural World in Extreme Conditions

*Parenthood*, Paul Nicklen (2011) Ross Sea, Antarctica

Paul Nicklen is a photographer, filmmaker, and marine biologist. His work is collected by film and music stars, and major celebrities, including:

Katie Couric, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Garner, Alec Baldwin, Prince Hussain Aga Kahn, and the International Photography Hall of Fame, among others. He forges a bond between subject and viewer through sensitivity and a singular eye for reflecting the natural world in extreme conditions. “I believe that art, especially photography, has the power to connect people to stories with such deep emotion, that their perspective of the world can change,” says Nicklen. “My work exists at the intersection of art, science, and conservation as a way to showcase the beauty that exists in nature.”

Red Curtain, Cristina Mittermeier (2021) Galapagos. Selected as one of the “10 Photographs That Made the World Wake Up to Climate Change.”

Cristina Mittermeier is hailed as one of the most influential conservation photographers of our time, dedicating her entire life to protecting the world’s oceans. She has visited more than 100 countries, and founded The International League of Conservation Photographers. She coined the phrase conservation photography. “Images can help us understand the urgency to protect wild places that so many of us realize is of the utmost importance,” says Mittermeier. “My work is about building a greater awareness of the responsibility of what it means
to be human.”

Their nonprofit SeaLegacy.org, which Nicklen and Mittermeier co-founded in 2014, has conducted over 45 global expeditions studying nearly 800 species, and has made an immeasurable impact on climate education worldwide. Both are sought-after speakers and presenters on stages from TED to National Geographic and in 2022, they each received Honorary Doctorates of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada.

Polar Bears at Fjord across from Cape Fanshawe

More About the Artists:

Paul Nicklen has documented the beauty and plight of our planet for more than twenty years. His work is collected by Hollywood icons, rock stars and royalty. In 2019, he became the youngest person inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. He has said it is one thing to capture the natural world in a moment of grace and dignity, but that pales in comparison to an image that shines a brighter light on the environmental crisis and drives everyday people to action, even if only in some small way. His work has been singled out for creating a unique connection between image and viewer by featuring wild subjects in some of the most extreme conditions known on Earth. He is a Sony Artisan of Imagery and aligns with Rolex’s Perpetual Planet initiative on collaborative efforts to preserve the natural world. Nicklen has won more than thirty of the field’s most prestigious awards, including the BBC’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and the World Press Photo for Photojournalism. He has exhibited in galleries, museums and institutions around the world, including Hilton Asmus Contemporary (Chicago), Lyons Gallery (Australia), Galerie Gadcollection (Paris), Eisele Gallery (Cincinnati) and Fineart Oslo (Oslo).

Cristina Mittermeier was born in Mexico City in 1966. She graduated from the ITESM University in Mexico with a degree in Biochemical Engineering in Marine Sciences. She later attended the Fine Art Photography program at the Corcoran College for the Arts in Washington, D.C. She was named one of National Geographic’s Adventurers of the Year in 2018. Her Photographs have been exhibited in galleries around the World, including Hilton Asmus (Chicago), the Saatchi Gallery (London), C. Parker Gallery (Greenwich), and Eisele Gallery (Cincinnati). She is currently preparing for a solo exhibition at the prestigious Gallerie d’Italia in Turino, Italy. Mittermeier’s many awards include the Smithsonian Conservation Photographer of the Year; the Humanity Content Creator Award from HIPA;

the Imaging Award for Photographers Who Give Back; the Seattle Aquarium’s Sylvia Earle Medal; Travel + Leisure’s Global Vision Award, and was named one of the “100 Latinos Most Committed to Climate Action.” She is a World Photographic Academy member; was the first female photographer to reach one million followers on Instagram; is a Sony Artisan of Imagery; and aligns with Rolex’s Perpetual Planet initiative on collaborative efforts to preserve the natural world.

C. Parker Gallery is a full-service art gallery and consultancy celebrating its tenth-year anniversary in Greenwich, Connecticut. Representing an extensive collection of works by traditional and contemporary artists, the Gallery is a recipient of the Best of Greenwich and Best of the Gold Coast awards.

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