LTC 363-2022 UPDATE ON THE SARGASSUM SEAWEED AND OCEAN CLEANER TECHNOLOGY363-2022
CY
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive , Miami Beach FL 33139
LTC #
TO :
FROM :
DATE :
LETTER TO COMMISSION
Honorable Mayor Dan Gelben~mbers of the City Commission
Alina T. Hudak, City Manag ttA '\ I
Sept 6, 2022
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON T HE SARGASSUM SEAWEED AND OCEAN CLEANER TECHNOLOGY
The purpose of this memorandum is to update the Mayor and City Commiss ion on the
coordination efforts to explore the feasibility of the removal of Sargassum seaweed using "Ocean
Cleaner" technology (or similar) prior to reaching the shore.
On July 20 , 2022, the Mayor and City Commission passed a resolution directing the
Administration to confer with Miami-Dade County's Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces
Department (PROS) to explore the feasibility of using the "ocean cleaner" technology to clean up
sargassum seaweed in regional waters in an efficient and environmentally-friendly manner; and
further, requesting that the City Administration report back within ninety (90) days, either via Letter
to Commission or placement of a discussion item at a regularly scheduled City Commission
meeting, regarding the potential use of the "ocean cleaner" technology and any related regulatory
and jurisdictional issues, in view of the County's responsibility for the maintenance of beaches.
The City continues to coordinate with the Miami-Dade County's Parks, Recreation, and Open
Spaces Department to safely remove excess seaweed from the beaches . On August 5, 2022,
L TC 342-2022 was issued, updating the Mayor and City Commission on the removal efforts of
Sargassum seaweed from the beaches (Attachment 1 ). The County advised that it is not allowed
to removal Sargassum from the water. The County further detailed that "for removal in the ocean,
the state and federal guidance with respect to the removal of sargassum that is free floating in
the ocean has been that they cannot support its removal due to the ecological importance that
sargassum plays in the life cycle of sea turtles and other marine life. On the beaches , they have
given limited authorization for its removal. The Division of Environmental Resources
Management can facilitate some coordination with the resource agencies, but the permission for
the placement of any floating structures out in the ocean to prevent sargassum from reaching the
beach will heavily depend on the feedback received from the state and federal fish and wildlife
agencies."
Environmental Regulatory Background
The City's Environment & Sustainability Department reached out directly to regulatory agencies
for further detailed information, specifically the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and U .S . Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) for regulatory feedback on the use this technology or similar systems .
• FWC expressed multiple concerns about the nature of the technology because it would
be located adjacent to marine turtle nesting beaches and may pose a risk to other marine
protected species. Some of their specific concerns are related to the ability of hatchling
turtles to navigate through the Sargassum if it is concentrated in one area and that the
technology may deter and/or prevent female marine turtles from accessing the beach to
nest. In addition, FWC addressed the importance of Sargassum as it provides crucial
habitat for many marine species including marine turtles.
• FDEP's Southeast District Office indicated they were familiar with Sargassum barriers,
similar technologies, and their use would require an Individual Environmental Resource
Permit; however, they were not aware of any being historically allowed or permitted in
Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach Counties. To assist with their review, FDEP
indicated a hydrographic survey of the area would be required to prove no other area
would be negatively impacted by the technology and a lease/easement of the submerged
lands is a critical consideration during the permitting process. In addition, they would need
to review how the barriers would be anchored, if applicable, and if any impacts to
resources would occur as a result of the placement. It is important to note FWC is a
regulatory commenting agency for FDEP and if their concerns are not satisfactorily
addressed, FDEP will not issue their regulatory permit(s).
• USAGE is not aware of any permits for a system similar to the "Ocean Cleaner" technology
and would need additional details including the intended timeframes for deployment, the
exact locations, collection and disposal procedures, the anchoring systems, etc., to assist
with their review. The agency confirmed the Sargassum is part of the Loggerhead Critical
Habitat designated by the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the
system would have a potential impact to other protected species in the Atlantic such as
the Giant Manta Ray, Nassau Grouper, Acropora Corals Critical Habitat, and some of the
marine mammals and whales that use the nearshore coastal waters of Florida under the
Marine Mammal Protection Act. The USACE indicated the technology would present
some permitting challenges and would very likely require input from NMFS, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and potentially NOAA's Office of
Coast Survey (OCS) as well. Further, the technology would require a detailed review
regarding potential navigation hazards in addition to the environmental considerations .
Should you have any additional questions regarding the environmental regulations for seaweed
removal in the ocean, please contact Lindsey Precht, Environment and Sustainability Department
Assistant Director at lindseyprecht@miamibeachfl.gov. For have questions regarding the
seaweed removal operations on the beaches, please contact Adrian Morales, Facilities and Fleet
Director at adrianmorales@miamibeachfl.gov.
A TH/EC/ AK/ AM/LP/ST
DocuSign Envelope ID: E1CB16C6-E777-4767-876C-4 F7D4FEEA609
r
City of Miami Beach, 1700 Conventio n Cent er Dr ive, M iami Beac h FL 33 139
LTC# 324-2022 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO :
FROM:
DATE :
Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the City Commission
Alina T. Hudak, City Manager G::g;u
August 5 , 2022 7AE29EF3401349L
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON THE SARGASSUM (SEAWEED)
The purpose of this L TC is to update the Mayor and City Commission on the removal efforts of
the Sargassum seaweed .
Sargassum (seaweed) is a naturally occurring brown algae found in the marine environment. It
typically floats on the surface of the open ocean and is carried close to the shore by currents,
where it is deposited along the shoreline throughout both incoming and outgoing tides. The
amount which accumulates on our beaches varies seasonally and is dependent on a number of
factors including availability of nutrients in the water, water tempe ratures, carbon dioxide
concentration in the air, wind direction, and ocean currents. The season typically begins in March
and runs through October; however, an increased abundance generally occurs during warmer
months.
According to the Florida Department of Health, as Sargassum decomposes, it gives off a
substance called hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide has a very unpleasant odor, like rotten
eggs. Although the seaweed itself cannot harm people , tiny sea creatures that live in Sargassum
can cause skin rashes and blisters. Hydrogen sulfide can also irritate the eyes , nose and throat.
Individuals with asthma or other breathing illnesses , are more sensitive to these symptoms.
However, the levels of hydrogen sulfide in an area with large amounts of airflow, like the beach,
are not expected to reach harmful levels.
Over the past few weeks , our city has experienced a heavier influx of this brown algae along our
shoreline . The city continues to coordinate with Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open
Spaces and their vendor, Beach Raker, to safely remove excess seaweed from our beaches. I
have personally met with Maria Nardi, Miami-Dade County Parks Director, to further coordinate
city and county efforts to address this concern. The county's budget for Sargassum removal has
been increased from previous years to $5 Million . Additionally , Beach Raker has relocated
additional resources to Miami Beach to address the demand for service.
Crews are operating daily to collect and dispose as well as cut and turn the buildup of seaweed
on the water line across our 7-mile beach. Removals are performed from 22 -32 streets and to
the jetty north of Government Cut, which have been identified as hotspots (areas with excessive
accumulation). Prior to operating heavy machinery, a team surveys for sea turtle nests each
morning. Once the survey is complete , beach operations crews proceed to clean the beach until
sunset, regardless of tidal conditions.
July 2022 was the highest removal over the past three years with over 5,000 cubic yards of
DocuSign Envelope ID : E 1 CB 16C6-E777-4 767-876C-4 F7D4FEEA609
Sargassum removed. Any further removal efforts would result in a full beach closure for an
extended period to safely incorporate larger machinery.
July '22 Seaweed Log* July '21 Seaweed Log* July '20 Seaweed Log*
l-Jul-22 191 1-Jul-21 37 1-Jul-20 186
2-Jul-22 235 2-Jul-21 37 2-Jul-20 120
3-Jul-22 81 3-Jul-21 103 3-Jul-20 142
4-Jul-22 213 4-Jul-21 59 4 -Jul-20 27
5-Jul-22 81 5-Jul-21 169 5-Jul-20 10
6-Jul-22 103 6-Jul-21 37 6-Jul -20 54
7-Jul-22 267 7-Jul -21 59 7-Jul -20 32
8-Jul-22 169 8-Jul-21 59 8-Jul-20 32
9-Ju l-22 345 9-Jul-21 59 9-Jul-20 32
10-Jul-22 213 10-Jul-21 37 10-Jul-20 32
11-Jul -22 257 11-Jul-21 125 11-Jul-20 10
12-Jul-22 279 12-Jul-21 81 12-Jul-20 10
13-Jul-22 81 13 -Jul-21 81 13 -Jul -20 10
14-Jul-22 37 14-Jul-21 81 14-Jul-20 10
15-Jul-22 81 15 -Jul-21 37 15-Jul -20 10
16-Jul-22 59 16-Jul-21 103 16-Jul-20 10
17-Jul-22 81 17 -Jul-21 235 17-Jul-20 18
18-Jul-22 103 18-Jul-21 345 18-Jul-20 81
19-Jul -22 213 19-Jul-21 323 19-Jul-20 76
20 -Jul-22 301 20 -Jul-21 367 20 -Jul -20 252
21-Jul-22 543 21-Jul -21 345 21-Jul-20 230
22-Jul-22 279 22 -Jul-21 169 22 -Jul -20 230
23-Jul-22 411 23-Jul-21 103 23-Jul-20 264
24-Jul -22 301 24-Jul-21 37 24-Jul -20 318
25-Jul-22 Pending 25-Jul-21 15 25 -Jul-20 252
26-Jul-22 Pending 26 -Jul-21 15 26 -Jul -20 98
27-Jul-22 Pending 27-Jul-21 37 27 -Jul-20 164
28-Jul-22 Pending 28-Jul-21 15 28-Jul-20 54
29-Jul-22 Pending 29 -Jul-21 15 29 -Jul -20 76
30-Jul-22 Pending 30-Jul-21 37 30-Jul -20 120
31-Jul-22 Pending 31 -Jul-21 15 31 -Jul -20 120
Total 4924 Total 3237 Total 3080
*Seaweed totals are represented in cubic yards
State and federal environmental regulations prohibit the removal of seaweed from the water prior
to its landing on the shore. The water is under the jurisdiction of the state through the Miami-Dade
County Division of Environmental Resources Management.
Sargassum provides crucial habitat for many marine species, including endangered sea turtles ,
which, upon hatching on our beaches, make their way out to the Sargassum to spend their juvenile
years feeding and growing amongst the seaweed mats. It also provides nutr ients to the shoreline
DocuSign Envelope ID : E 1 CB 16C6-E777-4 767-876C-4F7D4FEEA609
and acts as an important element in shoreline stabilization by replenishing areas that suffer beach
erosion due to hurricanes and storms, thereby helping to keep our shorelines resilient.
Please visit: https ://www.miamidade.gov/seaweed to read more information from Miami-Dade
County.
Should you have any additional questions, please contact Adrian Morales at 305.673.7000 ext.
22932.
AH/LS