It's easy to tell where the high tide reaches in Flagler Beach. Just look for the line of thick seaweed turning brown under the Florida sun.

It's in clumps up and down the coast, driven in by the winds and waves.

You'll also find discarded fish and other sea creatures, caught up first in the nets of passing shrimp boats, thrown overboard and then snagged in the seaweed on shore. Smaller bits of seaweed come in with each wave.

Even for longtime beachgoers, it can be surprising while they float in the ocean.

"Once you get used to it — you know, it touches you — but it's kind of scary," said Fred Harich Sr., of Palm Coast.

Flagler Beach Parks and Recreation Director Tom Gillen, who also heads up the city's lifeguard corps, said they have gotten constant questions about it.

"As lifeguards, we're used to it," Gillen said. "It's there sometimes; other times it's not. We just deal with it."

For others, when it comes to picking a spot to spend the day, there are choices: In front of the line of seaweed, or behind it. John Coelho said he opts for keeping it out front.

"It doesn't bother me," Coelho said, adding, "but it's better when it's clean and nothing in there."

Not everyone understands. Gillen has received numerous nasty emails wondering why the city can't just scoop all the seaweed off the beach.

"I was thinking that as I was taking my walk this morning," said Barbara Hicks, a teacher from Palm Coast. "I was like, 'They really need to come clean this place up.'"

The reason is twofold. For one, it's sea turtle nesting season, so no raking can be done on the beach.

Secondly, according to Gillen, it's pointless.

"At times like this, when it comes in, the tides change every six hours," Gillen explained. "We could rake it up now, and tomorrow we're going to have that same line of fresh seaweed up on the beach."

Gillen went on to tout the usefulness of the stuff.

"It helps collect the sand to stop erosion, and it helps fertilize the vegetation up in the dunes," Gillen said. "So, it's got a natural purpose, and we don't want to mess with that at all."

It may be an inconvenience — and a smelly one — but it's only temporary.