THIS ISSUE
Sargassum Kaizen Lab - Food Testing Project Services Division Meet The Team
MANAGING SARGASSUM Undoubtedly, Sargassum influxes have posed a serious environmental concern while being detrimental to the hospitality industry in the Caribbean. Each territory has a unique encroachment which requires a unique solution, whether the impact is shoreline, fishing, coastal community or industry. At Kaizen, we explore each scenario, drawing on key factors to develop an abatement solution with maximum effect while mindful cost.
SARGASSUM SEAWEED In the Caribbean Sargassum is a genus of brown microalgae that usually inhabit shallow waters and reefs. They form in the Gulf of Mexico, and flow out into the Sargasso Sea, whence its name derives. In 2011 , an unprecedented large amount of Sargassum flowed back into the Caribbean, washing up on beaches from the Eastern coasts. This occurred again in 2014, 2015, and recently June 2018. The decay of the seaweed on the beaches produces pungent odors and "contamination" of the shorelines. Dealing with the sargassum issuehas been a challenge to many countries and has affected the health & safety
as well as the financial and tourism industries. Keeping the sargassum from reaching the shorelines will alleviate the major issue faced. Kaizen has the capabilities to provide a barrier using booms to protect part or all of a beachfront from the incoming menace. Booms can be secured from one point of the beach to another, or they can be secured out to a distance at sea. This would create a protected area in which people can enjoy the beach without wading through sargassum, and because it is kept from washing up on shore, there is no release of pungent gases from decay.