Sargassum Strandings on the Brazilian Coast: Integrating Scientific and Media Records to Support Coastal Conservation and Monitoring

ABSTRACT The expansion of the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB) has increased the frequency and intensity of Sargassum stranding events across the Tropical Atlantic, generating ecological, social and economic impacts on coastal systems. Along the Brazilian coast, however, formal scientific documentation of these events remains limited, despite growing public evidence of strandings, particularly in northern states. Here, we conducted a comparative analysis of Sargassum stranding records in Brazil from 2010 to 2025 using an exploratory mixed‐methods approach that integrated scientific literature and digital media reports. We compiled 51 records and found a marked asymmetry in documentation, with most records originating from media sources and far fewer from scientific publications. Temporal patterns were episodic and irregular, with no significant long‐term trend, although seasonal timing differed between sources. Spatially, Pará emerged as the main national hotspot, with Maranhão also standing out in the scientific literature. Qualitative comparisons showed that all scientific records confirmed pelagic species ( Sargassum natans and S. fluitans ), whereas many media reports misclassified benthic macroalgae as pelagic Sargassum . Quantitative biomass estimates were scarce and restricted to scientific studies, whereas media coverage emphasized immediate socio‐economic impacts, especially on tourism and coastal use. Our findings reveal a mismatch between rapid public reporting and slower scientific documentation, highlighting a critical gap in Brazil's capacity to monitor and respond to an emerging coastal conservation issue. We argue that integrating scientific and media‐based evidence can strengthen early detection, improve taxonomic standardization and support more proactive management strategies for stranded pelagic Sargassum along the Brazilian coast.