GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR

Oceans are experiencing unprecedented loss in biodiversity from global climate change. Wild seaweed forests support high biodiversity, yet they are predicted to lose up to 71% of their current distribution under certain climate change scenarios by 2100. The sustainable cultivation of seaweed offers a potential nature-based, climate resilient solution to protect, restore and conserve wild seaweeds globally. The industry also benefits the livelihoods of over 6M farmers globally, particularly smallholders, women and local communities who are integral to contributing to seaweed cultivation. Protecting the diversity of wild seaweeds, however, is vital in safeguarding the future of this industry. We aim to support livelihoods in developing countries in SE Asia and globally, develop climate resilient seaweed cultivars and produce a global seaweed strategy (or Seaweed Breakthrough) based on robust, scientific evidence of natural resource management, to attract further investment to protect, conserve and restore wild seaweed communities worldwide. GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR is a £750k, 36-month programme funded by UK Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) and led by Prof Elizabeth Cottier-Cook (SAMS), in partnership with Prof Juliet Brodie (Natural History Museum, London) and Prof Phaik Eem Lim (University of Malaya). Our Vision is to develop a global strategy that protects, conserves and restores wild seaweeds, whilst supporting livelihoods of seaweed farmers and their local communities. We will provide robust, new high quality operationally and policy-relevant research evidence and practical solutions to support this global strategy, which will be shared through our extensive local, national and international networks, to ensure the increased implementation of public/ private investment in the conservation and sustainable use of seaweed resources globally.