A new collaboration between Black in Marine Science (BIMS) and the Black Fiber & Textile Network (BFTN) is exploring how sargassum seaweed can be transformed into fibres and textile materials, turning an environmental challenge into a potential sustainable resource.

Sargassum is a type of brown seaweed that plays an important role in marine ecosystems by providing shelter and food for a variety of aquatic species. However, when large amounts of the seaweed wash ashore, it can create serious environmental and public health concerns.

As part of the initiative, BIMS’ Belize-based programme, Bloom to Business, is working with local communities to collect and process sargassum while it is still in the water, before it reaches beaches and begins to decompose. This approach aims to reduce environmental and health impacts while creating opportunities for resource recovery.

The Black Fiber & Textile Network is investigating how the harvested seaweed can be incorporated into fibres, yarns, and textile products. By examining the potential of sargassum as a raw material, the project seeks to identify new applications for an abundant natural resource that is often treated as waste.