{"title":"Sargassum influxes in West Africa: Impacts, challenges, and prospects for sustainable management","authors":"Abdulwakil Olawale Saba , Kafayat Adetoun Fakoya , Lucette Adet , Hussein Aliu Sule , Akinloye Emmanuel Ojewole , Nimah Folake Osho-Abdulgafar","doi":"10.1016/j.hal.2025.102982","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The causes and mechanisms behind the influx of <em>Sargassum</em> in West Africa are poorly understood. The lack of effective management and control measures negatively impacts fishing, tourism, and marine life, leaving coastal communities with insufficient adaptive strategies. Research on <em>Sargassum</em> in the region is limited, which may lead to an underestimation of the socio-economic impacts of the blooms. Regional efforts led by the Abidjan Convention Secretariat and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have yet to yield significant results. There are considerable gaps in funding, policy prioritization, capacity building, and access to technology for early detection and monitoring, all of which are essential for implementing an effective <em>Sargassum</em> management strategy. Between 2018 and 2023, estimates of stranded biomass across the tropical Atlantic ranged from 2 to 10 million tons annually, with West Africa contributing a smaller yet still significant share. The biochemical composition of West African <em>Sargassum</em> demonstrates some economic potential, though heavy metal contamination and monitoring challenges limit use, necessitating the need for targeted management and detoxification efforts. While <em>Sargassum</em> presents opportunities for innovation and sustainable economic use, resources for developing regional value chains are scarce. West Africa could benefit from a more deliberate collaborative transatlantic partnership, as well as from strengthening an integrated regional strategy to create scalable and sustainable solutions in research, policy, management, and practical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12897,"journal":{"name":"Harmful Algae","volume":"150 ","pages":"Article 102982"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Harmful Algae","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568988325001842","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MARINE & FRESHWATER BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The causes and mechanisms behind the influx of Sargassum in West Africa are poorly understood. The lack of effective management and control measures negatively impacts fishing, tourism, and marine life, leaving coastal communities with insufficient adaptive strategies. Research on Sargassum in the region is limited, which may lead to an underestimation of the socio-economic impacts of the blooms. Regional efforts led by the Abidjan Convention Secretariat and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have yet to yield significant results. There are considerable gaps in funding, policy prioritization, capacity building, and access to technology for early detection and monitoring, all of which are essential for implementing an effective Sargassum management strategy. Between 2018 and 2023, estimates of stranded biomass across the tropical Atlantic ranged from 2 to 10 million tons annually, with West Africa contributing a smaller yet still significant share. The biochemical composition of West African Sargassum demonstrates some economic potential, though heavy metal contamination and monitoring challenges limit use, necessitating the need for targeted management and detoxification efforts. While Sargassum presents opportunities for innovation and sustainable economic use, resources for developing regional value chains are scarce. West Africa could benefit from a more deliberate collaborative transatlantic partnership, as well as from strengthening an integrated regional strategy to create scalable and sustainable solutions in research, policy, management, and practical applications.
期刊介绍:
This journal provides a forum to promote knowledge of harmful microalgae and macroalgae, including cyanobacteria, as well as monitoring, management and control of these organisms.