Atlantic Beach seaweed smell causing a stink for beachgoers | News

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. -- Strong easterly winds are helping wash seaweed ashore in a way that's not been seen in years.

Up and down the First Coast, beachgoers are also having to deal with the smell.

Beachcombers handles coastline cleanup in Atlantic and Jacksonville beaches. Operations are at a standstill until the seaweed dries out.

Jo Lynne Cordova with Beachcombers says it could take several days for the seaweed to dry out because right now, it is too heavy for equipment to handle.

Atlantic Beach public works director Rick Carper said to expect the seaweed and the smell to be around this weekend.

Carper says even when he seaweed is removed it will be still be on the beach.

"All they do is move it up closer to the dun line and will be still be there with the aroma, " said Carper who noted that state regulations do not allow seaweed to be removed from the beach.