Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face significant environmental, economic, and social challenges due to the impacts of the massive influxes of Sargassum seaweed (henceforth, "Sargassum"). Traditional reactive responses have proven insufficient to manage these recurring Sargassum blooms effectively' given the scale, volumes, varied geographic and seasonal distribution, and the absence of any established management systems for the impacted countries. With the continued annual recurrence of these blooms, governments and developmental partners are shifting towards proactive, sustainable management strategies. This study proposes an exploratory framework based on the principles of integrative and adaptive natural resources management (IANRM) and its application to Sargassum management. The framework integrates diverse management strategies, considers interconnected environmental, social, and economic factors in stakeholder engagements, and promotes adaptive learning. Key components include having national policies and legislative frameworks, establishing or strengthening national institutional arrangements, developing robust monitoring and forecasting systems, implementing diversified collection and safe management technologies, promoting value-added product development, research, and development, as well as financing and strengthening regional and international cooperation. Adopting an IANRM approach enables a shift from reactive crisis management to proactive resilience, potentially transforming Sargassum from a challenge to a valuable resource while safeguarding coastal ecosystems and livelihoods. The study provides recommendations for future research on implementing an IANRM approach, thereby promoting sustainable Sargassum management in the Caribbean SIDS region.

Schedule

9–9.10 am: Opening of the session
 

Welcome remarks by Miosotis Rivas-Peña, Director, ECLAC subregional
headquarters for the Caribbean

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9.10–9.30 am: Presentation of study: "Responding to sargassum influxes through
integrative and adaptive natural resources management approaches in the
Caribbean SIDS region- an exploratory framework"

This session will present the key findings and recommendations from the study. The
presentation will provide an overview of the complex challenges for the safe
management of the massive sargassum influxes facing the Caribbean SIDS region.
It then offers conclusions and recommendations supporting a public-sector-driven,
multistakeholder integrated and adaptative management approach.

Facilitator: Artie Dubrie, Coordinator, Sustainable Development and Disaster Unit,
ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean

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9.30 –10 am: Case country presentations:
 

This session will receive presentations from the four selected Caribbean
countries considered in this study. Presenters will share national experiences,
strategies, challenges, and opportunities for managing the sargassum influxes.
This session aims to share practical insights and lessons learned, fostering
peer-to-peer learning and identifying common challenges and opportunities
for collaboration.
• Barbados
• Dominican Republic (tbc)
• Saint Lucia
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Guadeloupe
 

Facilitator: Artie Dubrie, Coordinator, Sustainable Development
and Disaster Unit, ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean

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10–11am: Stakeholder interventions
 

This session will feature focused interventions from key stakeholders
representing diverse perspectives and interests in the sustainable management
of sargassum. These interventions will seek to foster a collaborative dialogue to
identify opportunities and partnerships to address the environmental, economic,
social, and physical/bathymetric challenges of the massive sargassum influxes
and promote sustainable solutions.
• Intergovernmental:
     - Association of Caribbean States
     - Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States
     - Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism
     - Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute
     - Basel Convention Regional Center-Caribbean
     - The University of the West Indies, Saint Augustine
• Private sector:
     - Caribbean Tourism Organisation
     - Dominican Republic (tbc)
• Civil society representative:
     - Caribbean Natural Resources Institute
     - Nature Seekers
 

Moderator: Tamara Persaud, Environmental Affairs Officer,
Sustainable Development and Disaster Unit, ECLAC subregional headquarters
for the Caribbean

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11– 11.10 am: Coffee break

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11.10– 11.55 am: Conclusion and closing remarks
Facilitator: Artie Dubrie, Coordinator, Sustainable Development
and Disaster Unit, ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean