Perceived Sargassum event incidence, impacts, and management response in the Caribbean Basin

Abstract

Sargassum events have been an increasingly influential phenomenon in the Caribbean region in recent years, with correspondingly growing attention from news and social media, the scientific community, and policy makers. To better understand the human effects of Sargassum events, an online survey of 633 community members, resource users, and government and NGO staff from across the Caribbean Basin was conducted in the summer and fall of 2021. Results indicated that Sargassum was widely regarded as a problem in all parts of the region, and that perceived event frequency, severity, and impacts varied by subregion. Impacts included economic harm from losses in tourism, recreation, and fisheries, as well as negative outcomes in public health, quality of life, and cultural practice. Management efforts are widespread, but there is a marked lack of confidence in government efforts to respond to Sargassum. These findings provide a regional baseline for social impacts of Sargassum, highlight vulnerable sectors, and identify sociocultural factors that managers should consider in the process of decision making with regard to this and other harmful macroalgal blooms.