An increase in new Sargassum (Phaeophyceae) blooms along the coast of the East China Sea and Yellow Sea

New macroalgal blooms caused by the genus Sargassum have been occurring along the coast of China. In particular, in 2017, Sargassum blooms covered up to 188 km2 and drifted into the offshore region of Jiangsu Province, the traditional area for Pyropia aquaculture. This resulted in an enormous loss of production of Pyropia. This study was designed to identify the species composition, phylogenetic relationships, and possible origin of the...