UK-based Seafields – specialists at regenerating our ocean life support systems – are turning the Caribbean’s Sargassum problem into prosperity
Seafields, a pioneer in cultivating and harvesting seaweed for climate change, launches its flagship solutions, SeaClear and SeaGrow, to revolutionise how coastal communities tackle the challenges of Sargassum. The invasive seaweed has plagued Caribbean communities for years, disrupting tourism, harming marine life, emitting toxic gases and burdening local economies with costly cleanups. Seafields’ cutting-edge solutions aim to intercept Sargassum before it hits beaches and establish a scalable supply chain that fuels a new, homegrown industry for the region.
For industries worst affected, such as hotels and leisure, the predominant response has been to divert the seaweed to landfills, essentially relocating the problem inland while not addressing its broader ecological impact.
SeaClear will intercept incoming Sargassum offshore, preventing it from reaching beaches and allowing the seaweed to remain fresh for further processing. By preventing its decomposition and degradation, SeaClear helps avoid the emission of harmful gases such as methane and supports a zero-waste solution, achieving significant reductions in landfill and providing valuable cost savings.
SeaGrow ensures a consistent, year-round supply of high-quality Sargassum through large-scale aquaculture. Using precision farming techniques, SeaGrow stabilises the seasonal and unpredictable nature of wild Sargassum harvesting by growing the seaweed in paddocks, ensuring a steady feedstock supply.
Together, SeaClear and SeaGrow unlock Sargassum’s potential for applications across bioenergy, bioplastics, agriculture, and manufacturing. By directing the seaweed into high-growth products, including biochar, bioplastics, biofuels, emulsifiers, and vegan leathers, Seafields creates new economic opportunities for local communities while reducing environmental impact.
For hotel groups striving to meet net-zero and zero-waste commitments, these solutions provide a vital pathway to ensure their Caribbean properties align with global sustainability targets while maintaining pristine beaches and supporting local economies.
Seafields is committed to integrating these solutions into local markets, fostering job creation, enhancing agricultural sustainability, and advancing climate action. By remaining product-agnostic, Seafields ensures that Sargassum serves as a flexible feedstock for diverse industries while unlocking its full potential as a renewable resource.
“SeaClear and SeaGrow represent a breakthrough in both the technical and economic management of Sargassum,” said John Auckland, CEO of Seafields.
“These technologies not only address the immediate challenges posed by Sargassum blooms, but they will also integrate its potential as a new resource for the region, creating a circular economy model that enhances both the environment and the regional economy.”
“Seafields is committed to leveraging its technologies to enhance the resilience of Caribbean communities by integrating SeaClear and SeaGrow into local economies. By reducing reliance on traditional waste management approaches, Seafields is enabling the region to capitalise on Sargassum’s industrial potential, fostering local employment, promoting sustainable agriculture, and supporting broader climate action,” Auckland concluded.