Why seaweed
Re-thinking seaweed management for people and planet
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/6479c0a9750ba1deb2d0fa84_teal.png)
The challenges
![Sea turtles floating sorrounded by seaweed](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/64526cec3303ce13f344f92f_Loggerhead-hatchlings-in-sargassum-Florida-Fish-and-Wildlife-scaled.jpeg)
Ecosystem at risk
Naturally, sargassum can be a breeding ground for wildlife. But when it overgrows, it sucks the oxygen out of the water and creates vast dead zones.
![Seaweed floating in the sea](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/6467acc657d06e492b2cccd4_seaweed-growing-problem.webp)
Growing problem
Climate change has been causing unprecedented blooms. In what’s called the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, masses of sargassum stretch some 5,000 miles (8,000km) – and are only expected to grow.
![Clumps of sargassum on the beach](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/645504ae76ec3281c774378a_sargassum-threat.jpg)
Threat on land
When they land, sargassum blooms can cause have a devastating impact on local communities - clogging beaches, hampering tourism and producing hydrogen sulfide, a highly irritant gas.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/6479bfa23f5a05c19fa81fc1_white.png)
Why do we need seaweed management?
Community
A community-led approach promotes a circular economy, fostering job growth, triggering new industries, and boosting ocean tourism.
![SDG: zero hunger](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/645274a5b6cfe1ac1007f400_E_WEB_02.png)
![SDG: good health and well-being](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/64527485f5d46b04051ace54_E_WEB_03.png)
![SDG: gender equality](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/6452748f4b20032262615311_E_WEB_05.png)
Business
Scalable solutions allow local farmers and companies to commercialize seaweed production, developing sustainable products to be exported to a global market.
![SDG: decent work and economic growth](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/645274a5eefc2af3c6ebd7c8_E_WEB_08.png)
![SDG: industry, innovation and infrastructure](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/645274c118194a311e9d6a9b_E_WEB_09.png)
Ecology
We can only bring balance to the oceans and benefits to coastal communities by taking a holistic approach to seaweed management.
Sustainable seaweed management mitigates environmental damages and protects marine life, restoring balance to coastal ecosystems.
![SDG: climate action](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/645274766badb1ef52824eaf_E_WEB_13.png)
![SDG: life below water](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6426ab3642b60f32afc951ab/64527476d08f079ff9c5740b_E_WEB_14.png)