SARSEA/ Saint Lucia strengthen cooperation and validates 2026 Strategy

Published on February 16, 2026

On Thursday, February 12, Expertise France, the Government of Saint Lucia and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, OECS, signed a memorandum of understanding in the presence of Her Excellency Marie-Noëlle Duris, Ambassador of France to the Eastern Caribbean States, to Barbados and to the OECS.

This agreement represents a significant step forward in the coordinated efforts to manage the large-scale sargassum accumulations that have been impacting Caribbean coastlines since 2011.

SARSEA (Sargassum Regional Strategies for Ecosystem-based Actions) is a regional initiative designed to enhance the ability of small Caribbean islands to respond to the large amounts of sargassum washing ashore.

This project combines integrated management approaches, efforts to restore seaweed populations, and scientific research to mitigate against the phenomenon.

The agreement seeks to formalise collaboration among scientists, private organisations, civil society groups, and the project’s leadership to manage sargassum in an integrated and sustainable way, while exploring the possibility of using this seaweed as an economic generating resource.