Empowering Coastal Communities through Citizen Science to Monitor Sargassum in the Tropical Atlantic

The persistent influxes of pelagic sargassum across the tropical Atlantic have significantly impacted coastal communities, livelihoods, local economies, and the environment. Our research engaged sargassum-affected communities in Quintana Roo, Mexico, to explore the potential of citizen science in enhancing local responses to this seaweed. We established seven permanent volunteer monitoring stations with schools and local communities. Our initiative involved: (i) training school teachers, students (ages 11-18), and community members to monitor sargassum using the CoastSnap method; (ii) integrating these activities into school lessons explaining sargassum blooms and local adaptation efforts; and (iii) creating a global online network to connect schools affected by sargassum across the Atlantic. Our findings highlight the potential of citizen science in generating important data on the seasonality and local impacts of sargassum, while fostering a deeper understanding among participants. Engaging students and communities raised awareness and motivated them to contribute to monitoring efforts and develop local strategies for managing sargassum influxes. This project aims to show that community-led monitoring can enhance the development of locally appropriate management policies and adaptation strategies. Also, this presentation aims at promoting the use of CoastSnap as a platform for monitoring sargassum beaching events.

Presentation Preference: Oral

Primary Presenter: Ma. Eugenia Allende-Arandia, National Autonomous University of Mexico (mallendea@iingen.unam.mx)

Authors:

Ma. Eugenia Allende-Arandía, National Autonomous University of Mexico  (mallendea@iingen.unam.mx)

Christian Appendini, National Autonomous University of Mexico  (cappendinia@iingen.unam.mx)

Victoria Dominguez-Almela, University of Southampton  (V.Dominguez-Almela@soton.ac.uk)

Oscar Fraustro-Martínez, University of Quintana Roo, Cozumel  (ofrausto@uqroo.edu.mx)

José Antonio López-Portillo, National Autonomous University of Mexico  (avtovio23@gmail.com)

Emma Tompkins, University of Southampton  (E.L.Tompkins@soton.ac.uk)