The SargAdapt Good Practice Guide Series has been launched to provide easy-to-read, straightforward, technical advice to Caribbean stakeholders facing this ‘sargassum crisis’. This volume in the series provides a guide to help determine the most feasible and least damaging solution for the collection of sargassum in the nearshore or on the beach of any particular site.

Efforts to mitigate the immediate impacts of sargassum inundations along our shorelines have often resulted in further damage as a result of the use of inappropriate methods or equipment ill-suited for the purpose. Furthermore, sargassum clean-ups typically entail high economic costs in labour, equipment and transport that falls on both governments and the private sector. This guide recognizes the importance of sharing lessons learned to date in order to avoid repeating mistakes that have been made by others in the learning process. By spreading awareness of suitable equipment and best practices this guide is intended to help towards developing sustainable solutions to managing sargassum inundations.

Note: Every site has unique characteristics, and there is no ‘one solution that fits all’. In addition, nations/territories have different regulations and permit requirements.
The information and guidance given here is based on best available information in the public domain, consultations with practitioners and observations by the authors.

Irvine, J., H.A. Oxenford, J. Cumberbatch, P. McConney, C. Hinds, R. Speede, A. Desrochers, K. Degia and B. van Tussenbroek (2023). Managing sargassum shoreline inundations: A toolbox. SargAdapt Good Practice Guide Series 5. University of the West Indies, Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (UWI-CERMES), Barbados. 29 pp.