Climate change has contributed to the persistent influxes of Sargassum, which have adversely affected the marine sector—particularly fisheries—for over a decade. However, Sargassum also offers opportunities for sustainable blue economic growth. As a marine resource, it can be harvested and used to produce biostimulants and compost, supporting agricultural productivity and enhancing regional food and nutrition security. This dual approach not only mitigates the negative impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal communities but also strengthens climate resilience across the Caribbean.

This seminar seeks to engage with fisheries and agriculture stakeholders on the ongoing work being done by the CRFM in partnership with the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR) under the “Sargassum Products for Climate Resilience in the Caribbean” project. This initiative aims to mitigate the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of Sargassum influxes in affected Caribbean countries through the creation of technologies and value-chains for marine biomass. This is underscored by three key concepts:

1. The project results in bolstering Caribbean agribusiness innovation and climate resilience;

2. There is circular use and zero waste of the Sargassum resource; and

3. The precautionary approach ensures safety from potential hazards all along the value chain.

The project is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and implemented by the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited (PFR) and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM).

The project has four components: 1: Raw material safety testing & harvest operations review; 2: Product and Process Development; 3: Product Commercialisation Strategy Development; and 4: Outreach and Supply Chain Development.

Through our collaboration with CARDI and UWI, the CRFM-PFR project has optimized the production of a liquid Sargassum biostimulant and conducted glass house trials and  field trials of the liquid biostimulant which have shown favorable results.

Safety testing has been conducted for heavy metals in the liquid biostimulant, the crops, stems and leaves as well as the soil The results have shown that heavy metal levels are well below the safety limits.

The PFR-CRFM teams have developed a commercialization strategy and recently completed a pilot plant trial for the production of the liquid biostimulant in collaboration with the private sector partner, Caribbean Chemicals.

Most recently, a training workshop for harvesting Sargassum was held in Jamaica, in collaboration with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) and CRFM. A training manual for fishers was prepared as part of this initiative and serves as a useful resource for fishers interested in becoming part of the Sargassum Value Chain.  

CARICOM policy-makers, including the Council for Trade and Economic Development and the Ministerial Council of the CRFM, continue to maintain keen interest in the progress of the project, recognizing it as one of the most important regional and potentially impactful interventions aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of Sargassum and supporting valorisation of the raw material in the region.