Responding to sargassum influxes through integrative and adaptive natural resource management approaches in Caribbean SIDS: an exploratory framework

Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face significant environmental, economic, and social challenges due to the impacts of the massive influxes of Sargassum seaweed (henceforth, "Sargassum"). Conventional reactive interventions have demonstrated limited efficacy in addressing the recurrent proliferation of Sargassum blooms. These impacts are attributable to the immense scale and volumetric magnitude of these events, alongside their considerable spatiotemporal variabilities across the Caribbean sub-region. Furthermore, the absence of robust, harmonized management frameworks across affected jurisdictions exacerbates these challenges. Governmental bodies, development partners, and other stakeholders are seeking sustainable management strategies to address the persistent annual recurrences of these blooms. This study examines and proposes an exploratory framework based on the principles of integrative and adaptive natural resources management (IANRM) and its application to Sargassum management. The framework integrates diverse management strategies, considers interconnected environmental, social, and economic factors in stakeholder engagements, and promotes adaptive learning. Adopting an IANRM approach enables a shift from reactive crisis management to proactive resilience, potentially transforming Sargassum from a challenge to a valuable resource while safeguarding coastal ecosystems and livelihoods. The study provides recommendations for future research on implementing an IANRM approach to promote sustainable Sargassum management in the SIDS region.