Monitoring pelagic <i>Sargassum</i> inundation potential for coastal communities

Pelagic Sargassum is a buoyant macroalgae that forms rafts at the ocean surface and serves as biologically rich habitat for hundreds of diverse marine species. Since 2011, massive blooms have occurred in tropical Atlantic swept through western Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, Gulf Mexico. These recurring annual events caused significant disruptions to coastal communities throughout region, negatively impacting human health, tourism, fishing, navigation, nearshore ecosystems. We present here Inundation Report (SIR), product uses satellite-based methodology estimate predict future inundation pelagic Sargassum. Results from one year SIRs show strong spatiotemporal differences potential across Intra-American Seas, provide comprehensive method assessing its geographic distribution temporal variation. Comparisons opportunistically collected photographs indicate qualitative concordance between satellite situ observations. This work highlights value observations, basin-wide seasonal monitoring, emphasises need sub-regional weekly forecasting. considerable promise tool can eventually incorporate improved resolution imagery, circulation, wind, wave conditions forecast movement into areas.