Project description for usvi sargassum removals in the US virgin islands: building capacity for the management and response for current and future scenarios the national oceanic and atmospheric…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded $963,000 to the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources under the Congressionally Identified Awards and Projects program (CFDA 11.469) on October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2028. This project grant addresses sargassum influx management in the U.S. Virgin Islands by developing a comprehensive management plan and identifying innovative removal techniques and methodologies adaptable to local conditions. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources will collaborate with the University of the Virgin Islands, University of Florida, and University of the West Indies to conduct research, test removal methodologies, and provide guidance to public and private entities on best practices for responding to sargassum events.

In addition to removal strategy development, the project investigates opportunities to monetize sargassum as a means to offset removal costs and create economic opportunities for the territory. Deliverables include identification of targeted beaches for removal, determination of allowable removal methods and collection locations, integration of regional best practices tailored to USVI conditions, and stakeholder engagement to explore commercialization pathways such as fertilizer production, paper manufacturing, and biodegradable container development. These integrated outputs are designed to build long-term capacity for managing current and future sargassum-related environmental, public health, economic, and ecological impacts.

Project description for usvi sargassum removals in the US virgin islands: building capacity for the management and response for current and future scenarios the national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA) is providing $963,000 in federal funding to the US virgin island department of planning and natural resources (usvi dpnr)to address the detrimental economic, public health, social and ecological impacts from significant sargassum events which have and will continue to affect the usvi. Specifically, the dpnr will partner with NOAA the university of the virgin islands, university of florida, university of the west indies among others to use the funds to develop a comprehensive plan and research and innovative techniques for sargassum removal, as well as identifying uses for the sargassum that could create new industries, jobs and help pay for the actual removal. The comprehensive management plan will integrate regional best practices and guidelines adapted to the usvi situation, as well as identifying beaches where the sargassum will be removed; identifying allowable methods of removal; determining where the sargassum will be collected in water or on land. The dpnr and partners will investigate the different methodologies and refine and test methodologies that are adaptable to the situations that exist in the virgin islands and provide public and private entities with the best available guidance and techniques to respond to sargassum influxes. Finally, the dpnr and partners will engage with the public and entrepreneurs to investigate opportunities to monetize sargassum, including current technologies and interest such as fertilizers, inclusion in paper making, biodegradable containers as examples to help pay for the sargassum removal and create new businesses and jobs for the usvi.