Kelp Takes Over Coronado Shoreline

Washed ashore kelp beginning to rot, city officials say

Residents living along Coronado's shoreline got a bit more of the coastal lifestyle than they bargained for this week when an abundance of kelp washed up and began rotting.

It's typical for the kelp to wash ashore this time of year, as kelp grows in cold water and dies when the temperatures rise.

However beginning over the weekend, the entire beach became covered in the dying kelp.

"This happens from time to time so it's not surprising," said Public Services Director Matt Little. "What is unusual is the amount of kelp. The smell can get pretty bad after a while. We like to get it picked up right away."

The volume of the kelp was so large that the city had to bring in an extra loader to help clear away the rotting seaweed.

The kelp will be buried beneath the sand after the loader combs through the sand.

The second loader arrived Tuesday, and since then, the city has seen some improvement, Little said.

Cleanup efforts will continue through next week.

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