In order to better understand how we can effectively manage the influx of Sargassum, the National Environment & Planning Agency has partnered with a multidisciplinary team from the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. The team has been conducting research ranging from forecasting Sargassum landings, to the use of seaweed in soil conditioning and as fertilizer. Thus far, the results from use as compost on crops such as corn show promise.

In addition, the research is investigating the extraction of potentially bioactive compounds and other valuable substances, as well as the seaweed’s potential use in the generation of energy in bio-digesters. In other parts of the Caribbean, Sargassum is used as animal feed, food for humans, cosmetics, the manufacture of take-away containers for food, and bricks for construction.

Guest Presenters:

• Professor Mona Webber, Center for Marine Sciences, The University of the West Indies
• Mr. Joshua Forte, CEO, Red Diamond Compost

Presented by NEPA Jamaica

________________________________________________________________________________

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. The Agency became operational on April 1, 2001 as a Executive Agency under the Executive Agencies Act. It was founded to carry out the technical (functional) and administrative mandate of three statutory bodies, the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), the Town and Country Planning Authority (TCPA) and the Land Development and Utilisation Commission (LDUC). NEPA is the lead government agency with the mandate for environmental protection, natural resource management, land use and spatial planning in Jamaica.