Living With Sargassum: Current Scientific Perspectives And Future Outlook For Fisheries, Coastal Managers And Entrepreneurs

Moderators: Francis Neat & Hazel Oxenford | Sponsored by: Global Ocean Institute, World Maritime University, Sweden in association with CERMES & GCFI.

SESSION KEYNOTE: Dr. Shelly-Ann Cox

For more than a decade, the Wider Caribbean and West Africa have experienced an unprecedented Transatlantic Triple Threat- Sargassum Influxes. This threat has also been described by scientists as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, emphasizing the magnitude and complexity of this environmental issue. Sargassum influxes have caused significant social, economic and environmental impacts resulting in challenges to already strained climate-sensitive socio-economic sectors. Emerging impacts recently reported in the energy and water sectors highlight the need for adaptive management strategies to address this crisis.

While efforts to explore potential opportunities are underway, the reality is that sargassum influxes remain more of a threat than a benefit until key issues are resolved. This presentation provides guidance on the operationalisation of the strategy framework and blue economy links proposed in the UNEP-CEP Sargassum White paper (2021). Existing and potential interventions are categorised under three main headings: Adaptation, Mitigation and Policy Development and Coordination. Established, emerging and nascent solutions including examples of sargassum product innovation will also be presented. Making the shift from a triple threat to opportunity requires more attention to potential value chains. Considerations for logistics, costs and resources at each stage of a potential sargassum value chain will be presented as well as cross cutting activities that support quality control and environmental and social safeguards.