The stranding of floating seaweed (Sargassum) rafts is a recent regular phenomenon affecting Atlantic coastal nations of the Caribbean, Central America and tropical West Africa. While the reasons for this unusual landfall are not yet fully understood, affected communities must find ways to deal with the seaweed, which can smother beaches, block harbours and become toxic to humans and wildlife as it decomposes, with adverse effects on vital fishing and tourism activities. Its effects are felt most strongly by vulnerable small island developing states.

Related Keywords

Saint Lucia , United States , United Kingdom , Cave Hill , Saint Lucy , Barbados , Ghana , Jamaica , Sargasso Sea , Oceans General , Oceans , America , Jamaican , Atlantic Ocean , Janice Cumberbatch , Gemma Tompkins , University Of Ghana , Centre For Resource Management , University Of York United Kingdom , Institute For Environment , University Of The West Indies Jamaica , University Of Southampton United , United Nations Environment Programme , University Of West Indies , Centre For Resource Management Environmental , Mona Geoinformatics Institute , United Kingdom Global Challenges Research Fund , Research Council , Sargassum Working Group , Innovation Fund , Centre For Novel Agricultural Products , University Of Southampton , United Kingdom Research , Senior Communications , Communications Division , Centre For Marine , West Indies , Kwasi Appeaning Addo , Sanitation Studies , Central America , West Africa , Risks Across , Building Capacity , Marine Studies , Resource Management , Environmental Studies , Novel Agricultural Products , Global Challenges Research Fund , Social Research Council , Ensemble Forecast System , Senior Communications Officer ,