Story perspectives

Miami-Dade Removes Record 9,000 Tons of Sargassum in July

8/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

In July, Miami-Dade County removed a record 9,000 tons of sargassum from its beaches.
Miami-Dade spends $3 million annually from tourist development taxes to run tractors that clean 17 miles of beach.
Equipment stops 30 minutes before sunset and resumes at sunrise while crews mark about 700 sea-turtle nests.
Satellite images recorded 33.5 million tons of sargassum in the Great Atlantic Belt, which Professor Brian LaPointe links to warmer oceans that boost rain and river runoff.

1 of 1

Story summary

In July, Miami-Dade County removed a record 9,000 tons of sargassum from its beaches.
Miami-Dade spends $3 million annually from tourist development taxes to run tractors that clean 17 miles of beach.
Equipment stops 30 minutes before sunset and resumes at sunrise while crews mark about 700 sea-turtle nests.
Satellite images recorded 33.5 million tons of sargassum in the Great Atlantic Belt, which Professor Brian LaPointe links to warmer oceans that boost rain and river runoff.