Sargassum influxes in West Africa: Impacts, challenges, and prospects for sustainable management

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.