CLIMALG-SN Seaweed for climate change resilient blue economies, biodiversity and ecosystem services

Senegal’s ocean-based economy is one of the country’s most important business sectors and is dominated by fishing. However, the sustainability of fisheries is threatened by overfishing, marine pollution and climate change. Seaweed cultivation and collection are increasingly being promoted by the government, as alternative source of income for coastal communities and contribution to food security. Seaweed aquaculture can be profitable, but also facilitates carbon fixation and nutrient recovery from over-fertilized coastal waters. CLIMALG-SN addressed the need for better scientific knowledge of seaweed habitats and species composition in Senegal. The project team investigated the impacts of seaweed harvesting on biodiversity and explored the potential of seaweeds to promote blue growth, including their provision of ecosystem services. The project developed and applied a standard biodiversity monitoring protocol, forming the basis of a sub-regional monitoring program to record biodiversity indicators.