Observation Technology

Sargassum outlook update, by USF Optical Oceanography Lab – July 2019 update

The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing high abundance. The July 2019 situation is similar to June 2019 for all regions. Specifically, the following regions continued to experience large amounts of Sargassum: Central West Atlantic (CWA), entire Caribbean Sea (CS), eastern Gulf of Mexico (GoM), northern Florida Straits, and waters off east… Read More

Expanding underwater glider observations in the NE Caribbean

CARICOOS continues collaborating with NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory’s (AOML) Physical Oceanography Division (PhOD) by assisting in the deployments, recoveries, and refurbishment of underwater gliders. This year, the hurricane glider operations will be enhanced by establishing a network of underwater gliders in the Caribbean Sea, tropical Atlantic Ocean, and east US continental shelf. A… Read More

Outlook of 2019 Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico by USF Optical Oceanography Lab

The maps above show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing high abundance. In June 2019, the following regions continued to experience large amounts of Sargassum: Central West Atlantic (CWA), entire Caribbean Sea (CS), eastern Gulf of Mexico (GoM), northern Florida Straits, and waters off east coast of Florida. In addition to numerous reports of Sargassum… Read More

Sargassum outlook – May 2019 update

The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing high abundance. In May 2019, the following regions continued to experience large amounts of Sargassum: Central West Atlantic (CWA), entire Caribbean Sea (CS), eastern Gulf of Mexico, northern Florida Straits, and waters off east coast of Florida. In addition to numerous reports of Sargassum beaching… Read More

Lifeguard training course successfully completed

The Ocean Rescue Caribbean Academy (ORCA), with the collaboration of Sea Grant Puerto Rico and the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM), offered a training course to local lifeguards to prepare them to ensure the life of those that entertain themselves at the beaches in Puerto Rico, particularly during summer season (high season for… Read More

Sargassum outlook update, by USF Optical Oceanography Lab – March 2019

The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing high abundance. On Feb 28th we predicted that during March 2019 large amounts of Sargassum would continue to be found in the entire Caribbean Sea (CS) and around Loop Current (LC), and during April 2019 the amount of “new” Sargassum transported from the Central West… Read More

Sargassum outlook update, by USF Optical Oceanography Lab – February 2019

In 2018, the Caribbean Sea (CS) has experienced a record-high and prolonged Sargassum bloom. The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing high abundance. In Feb 2019, similar amounts as in Feb 2018 appeared in the eastern CS, but amounts in the Central West Atlantic (CWA) were lower. Meanwhile, large amounts of Sargassum… Read More

Sargassum outlook update, by USF Optical Oceanography Lab – December 2018

The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing high abundance. In December 2018, the bloom intensity in the Caribbean Sea (CS) continued to decrease slightly from November, but the amount of Sargassum in the Central West Atlantic (CWA) increased slightly from November, which also represented a historical record for the month of November…. Read More

Sargassum outlook – November 2018 update, by USF Optical Oceanography Lab

So far the Caribbean Sea (CS) has experienced a record-high Sargassum bloom ever since January 2018. The maps below show Sargassum abundance, with warm colors representing high abundance. In November 2018, the bloom intensity continued to decrease in the CS, but still comparable to the bloom extent in November 2015. There is also significant amount… Read More Sargassum