Methods Currently Being Used to Address Sargassum Inundations in the U.S. Virgin Islands

NOAA’s Southeast and Caribbean Regional Collaboration Team (SECART) is launching a five part webinar series to raise awareness about key issues surrounding Sargassum. Each webinar will highlight different aspects of Sargassum research, management, and its impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems. The goal of this series is to foster knowledge-sharing and regional collaboration across affected areas as we continue to see impacts from Sargassum inundation events. This webinar, presented by Amy Dempsey, is the fourth in a series of five webinars looking at the recent issues surrounding Sargassum Inundation Events. As Sargassum inundations intensify across the Caribbean, coastal communities and resort operators face mounting challenges in managing the environmental and economic impacts. This presentation explores current best practices and technologies for Sargassum collection and containment, both onshore and offshore, with a focus on environmental and regulatory considerations. Drawing on successful deployments of floating barriers in St. Thomas, we will detail how resorts, once forced to close for weeks due to overwhelming accumulations, are now using containment systems to efficiently capture and remove Sargassum while minimizing beach erosion and sand loss. Case studies from two distinct resort sites illustrate how site-specific variables such as habitat type, sea state, and wind conditions influence anchoring methods and barrier design. We will share practical lessons learned, evolving installation strategies, and highlight what’s working in the ongoing effort to better control and collect Sargassum with minimal environmental disruption. This webinar was recorded on July 31, 2025. Learn more about NOAA in the Southeast and Caribbean here: https://www.noaa.gov/regional-collabo... View other webinars here: https://www.noaa.gov/regional-collabo...