[Coral-List] Upcoming Sargassum Webinar

[Raye Evrard]

Dear Coral-Listers,

Thought this upcoming webinar my work is hosting would be of interest to
you. The webinars are an hour long (40 minute presentation with 20 minutes
Q&A). Hope to see you there!

*Webinar: **Sargassum Watch System warns of incoming seaweed
<https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rpcnS14jRjOfqdmI0Ke3AA>*

*Presented by: **Chuanmin Hu of the University of South Florida*

*Date/Time: **Tuesday, March 5, 1 pm US EST/10 am US PST/6 pm UTC
<https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rpcnS14jRjOfqdmI0Ke3AA>*


*Description:* The Sargassum Watch System (SaWS) uses satellite data and
numerical models to detect and track pelagic Sargassum in near-real time.
Sargassum is a pelagic seaweed that floats on the ocean surface and is
abundant in the Intra-Americas Sea, the Atlantic, and along the coast of
Europe. In the ocean, it provides an important habitat for many marine
animals. On shore, it serves as fertilizer for sand dunes and biomass for
food and fuel. Excessive amounts of Sargassum on beaches in populated areas
can cause problems, however. Sargassum decomposition on beaches smells bad,
attracts insects, smothers turtle nesting sites, and causes fish kills, in
addition to diminishing tourism. Annual Sargassum inundation events are
currently occurring annually along the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean coasts.
SaWS monitors Sargassum distribution and abundance in the ocean to aid the
study of ocean ecology, help fisheries management, and forecast Sargassum
beaching events.


*Co-sponsors:* EBM Tools Network (co-coordinated by OCTO and NatureServe)


*Register: **https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rpcnS14jRjOfqdmI0Ke3AA
<https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rpcnS14jRjOfqdmI0Ke3AA>*


If you'd like to check our other webinars you can check them out here
<https://www.openchannels.org/upcoming-events-list>!


Best,

Raye Evrard

-- 
Raye Evrard, MMA
Project Manager
OCTO | Open Communications for The Ocean
https://www.octogroup.org | https://www.openchannels.org
raye at octogroup.org
Seattle, Washington, USA (UTC-7)