By Associated Press - Wednesday, April 30, 2014

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) - Seaweed on Galveston beaches is nothing new but a researcher says the latest occurrence is heavier than recent years.

The Galveston County Daily News (https://bit.ly/1iA2vEK ) reported Wednesday that the large amount of seaweed could be attributed to cold fronts moving through the area since January - the traditional start of the sargassum season.

Robert Webster with Texas A&M University at Galveston has been studying the seaweed since 2005. Webster says this year’s bloom appears heavier than previous years. He says cold fronts apparently kept the seaweed about 300 miles offshore, where it grew.

The Galveston Park Board of Trustees uses satellites to monitor seaweed and prepare for landfall and removal.

Executive director Kelly De Schaun says overseers must strike a balance between nature and making Galveston beaches attractive to visitors.

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Information from: The Galveston County Daily News, https://www.galvnews.com

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