KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) says the public should expect an influx of brown seaweed along the north coast in the coming days, as floating mats have been spotted offshore.

NEPA however assured that the seaweed is a natural phenomenon that poses no threat to the environment or human life.

“The seaweed is actually a type of open ocean algae called Sargassum. It is only found in the Atlantic Ocean and provides refuge for migratory species,” NEPA said in a statement yesterday.

The agency said that it is also an essential habitat for some species of fish and invertebrates and provides shelter and food to Sea Turtles and commercially important fish like Tuna.

NEPA also advised that the Sargassum will create an odour and attract insects as it gathers and decomposes on the seashore.

It said leaving the seaweed on the beach has proven to be the simplest solution, however, individuals who choose to remove the Sargassum should take special care to minimise the amount of sand they remove from the seashore.