Every year, vast quantities of sargassum seaweed wash up on the shores of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, disrupting local ecosystems, economies, and tourism. What was once a seasonal phenomenon has now become an annual challenge.
The proliferation of sargassum, once confined mainly to the Sargasso Sea, has surged across the Atlantic since 2011, impacting everything from coastal habitats to resort beaches. Experts point to climate changes, nutrient runoff from major rivers, and shifting ocean currents as key drivers of this dramatic change.
That being said, scientists and entrepreneurs are exploring creative ways to use sargassum as a resource:
— In Quintana Roo, Mexico, researchers are working to convert sargassum into green gas, potentially reducing carbon emissions and creating a new energy source.
— From fertilizers to skincare products, new industries are emerging to transform sargassum into valuable goods.
— Companies like Seaweed Generation are developing solar-powered robots to collect and sink sargassum back into the ocean—reducing its harmful impact on coastal ecosystems.
This article is available online at: https://bit.ly/3YID7EJ Thank you to Julián Reingold and the Pulitzer Center for making this article possible!
#Sargassum#Sustainability#ClimateAction#GreenEnergy#Innovation#CaribbeanGold#MarineConservation#EcoFriendly#CircularEconomy#CarbonRemoval
Can sargassum be turned into ‘Caribbean gold’?
I talk about the potential of #sargassum macroalgae to become the new '#Caribbean gold' in this month's issue of EcoAméricas!
Comments from:
Patricia Estridge Generation
Jimmy García, National Authority for Maritime Affairs (ANAMAR)
Ulises Javier Jauregui Haza Jáuregui Haza, National Institute of Technology of Santo Domingo (INTEC)
Miguel MONTESINO - Certificación - Formación Montesino, AENOR General Director for Northern Latin America
Rosa Rodríguez, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
Many thanks again to the Pulitzer Center for their support!
https://lnkd.in/dfkW3YHk
JUST GIVE NATURE A CHANCE
Behind the many successful rewilding efforts lies a simple truth: nature can fix things, when we get out of the way.
Oceans or land, let’s give enough back to nature, so abundance can come back.
It will not fix everything, we still need to urgently address climate change. The oceans are already way too warm.
But it’s a large piece in the puzzle.
#rewilding#nationalPark#Sustainability#SaveTheOcean
✍️ Storyteller with #rewilding at heart, Rewilder Weekly publisher 🌳🐺🌞🌍
The southernmost tip of Spain is called La Restinga, a place on Spain's Canary Islands. Right there a marine area has been a designated reserve (the Mar de Las Calmas) since 1996 - they say it's spectacular with an underwater mountain that entices with amazing dives.
Now the Spanish government takes it to a next level in recognition of the area's immense value. A proposal has been approved to turn the rerserve into a national park - which will make it Spain's first exclusively marine national park.
We see it on land, but we see it ever so much more clearly and quickly in the water - if you give nature a chance, it won't just recover, it will spill over. The spillover effects with protected marine areas is well documented and every such protection increases biodiversity overall. Fish replenish rapidly and the spillover effects benefit fishers and local communities everywhere. IF - YOU - JUST - GIVE - NATURE - A - CHANCE. This is very good news. Protections like this one, and of course like the High Seas Treaty ( https://lnkd.in/dc9bN9Vg ) will come with massive spillover effects.
Here by the way a new study by the University of Hawaii at Manoa that looks at the spillover effects of protected marine areas > https://lnkd.in/dhgE8ZAY
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Fundación Española de Renaturalización - Rewilding SpainRewilding EuropeRewilding Europe TravelDaniel Allen#rewilding#rewilderweekly
Stein Ove Tveiten, the outgoing CEO of Arctic Fish, emphasized the importance of balancing sustainability with favorable economic conditions for growth in the aquaculture industry in an interesting interview with Morgunblaðið.
"Iceland has a unique opportunity to develop this industry in a sustainable way. At the same time, I am concerned that the current and proposed framework conditions, with one of the highest tax levels in the world on aquaculture, may limit this development. Such conditions risk reducing the willingness to invest, weaken growth, and have a negative impact on competitiveness."
https://lnkd.in/gCb_7ku8#aquacultureiceland#sustainability
🌊🦦🐟 Diving into the fascinating world of marine conservation with this thought-provoking article on Mongabay. From sea otters' innovative tool use to the challenges faced by sharks in French Polynesia's sanctuary, the ocean's complexities are on full display. What are your thoughts on these critical issues? Dive in and share your feelings! 🦈🦭🦞 https://lnkd.in/dcT2p6h
2024 has been a turbulent year in so many ways, including for our oceans. There have been some phenomenal achievements, however. Highlights include:
More than 100 new species were discovered during a Pacific deep-sea expedition.
One billion hectares of ocean have been united into a protected zone, thanks to the efforts of 27 Pacific countries.
The #HighSeasTreaty has been ratified in 15 nations, with more to follow.
Various countries, including Greece, Norway, and the Maldives, paused or halted damaging activities like deep-sea mining and trawl and longline fishing.
We’ll discuss how 2025 looks for our oceans and what businesses and individuals can do to make a real difference, so get your tickets to the Ocean Advocate Summit today!
https://lnkd.in/ezj8EG3S#OceanAdvocateSummit#OceanConservation#MarineConservation#NetworkingEvent#ESG#CSR#ClimateGoals#SaveOurOceans#ProtectOurSeas#BristolBusiness#BristolEvents
Today is International Hyena Day! Let's celebrate the vital role hyenas play in maintaining the ecosystem.
By scavenging, they clean the environment, prevent the spread of diseases and promote ecological harmony, thus ensuring healthier habitats for all species!
What other facts do you know about the hyena?
We recently stumbled upon a heartwarming story that fills us with hope. Today, we wanted to share the positivity with you all.
Scientists in Indonesia have made a groundbreaking discovery in coral restoration. They found that coral reefs restored using “reef stars,” which can regrow just as quickly as reefs that are restored naturally, achieving full growth in just four years post-transplantation.
This monumental finding, stemming from the Mars Coral Reef Restoration program in South Sulawesi, a province in Indonesia, highlights the resilience of coral reefs and the potential for humans to aid in their recovery, even after severe damages caused by practices like dynamite fishing. The project utilizes “reef stars,” recycled metal scaffolds that support coral larvae in rebuilding their ecosystems 🌍💙
As a purpose-driven business, TMNZ is proud to invest 100% of our profits in Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation, for the environment and our communities. This Conservation Week, we're diving into why our oceans matter. Did you know:
🌊 Aotearoa has the 4th largest ocean space in the world
🐠 But we protect less than 1% of it
🌡️ And our oceans have absorbed 90% of the extra heat we've produced!
Through Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation, we support Live Ocean, founded by sailing legends Peter Burling and Blair Tuke. Live Ocean is scaling up marine science, innovation, and outreach for a healthy ocean.
Learn more about Live Ocean and how we contribute to ocean conservation: loom.ly/BUipzIk#TMNZ#invested#ConservationWeek
General Manager
1moExciting