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Sargassum Golden Tides, a global problem

26 May 2021

**NOW UPDATED WITH SPEAKER SCHEDULE!**

Beach inundations by Sargassum blooms have been called the single greatest threat to tourism in the Caribbean. The impact of Sargassum is not only economic but has implications for the environment and health. Golden tides of Sargassum are also causing problems in other areas of the world, such as Mexico and West Africa, and this challenge is the focus of many research groups. Tourism in the Caribbean has declined by around 30% over the last few years due to Sargassum influxes. It currently falls to seafront hotels and local beachside businesses to foot the bill for expensive clean-up operations to ensure their pristine beaches, which attract tourists to the area. Thus finding opportunities to ease the current financial impact of these blooms and turn the Sargassum into a valuable, sustainable resource is becoming increasingly important. Other challenges are mapping and predicting Sargassum inundations, and any utilisation process must give socio-economic benefits whilst being sustainable and not damage the environment.

Here in the UK, we have several groups actively working with Sargassum. This meeting is a chance to hear leaders in the field outline the challenges/ opportunities and present the case for further support and showcasing UK Sargassum research.

Event Schedule:

Time Speaker Institutions
14:00-14:05 Dr John Milledge University of Greenwich
14:05-14:15 Vincent Doumeizel Lloyd’s Register Foundation & UNGC
14:15-14:30 Dr John Bothwell Durham University
14:30-14:45 Dr Betsabé de la Barreda Nottingham University
14:45-15:00 Peter Lindeman & Bram Geers Climate Cleanup
15:00-15:05 comfort break
15:05-15:20 James Smith Exeter University
15:20-15:35 Prof Debbie Bartlett University of Greenwich
15:35-15:50 Supattra Maneein University of Greenwich
15:50-16:05 Prof Emma Tompkins University of Southampton
16:05-16:20 Dr Thierry Tonon University of York
  Dr Mona Webber UWI
16:20-16:35 Dr Michelle Morrison CPI
16:35-16:50 Dr Ian Hendy Portsmouth University
16:50-16:55 Dr Kirstin Covington Algae-UK- EBNet – BBNet
16:55-17:00 Dr John Milledge University of Greenwich

 

Algae-UK, BBNet and EBNet have come together to bring this event to you, and we welcome participants from all over the world. Registration is free. To register please go to:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sargassum-golden-tides-a-global-problem-tickets-148333199593

Algae-UK, BBNet and EBNet are delighted that Phycology, a new MDPI journal, will be providing a discount to speakers to publish research presented at this event.