ABSTRACT
Since 2011, massive influxes of pelagic sargassum seaweed have intermittently inundated the coasts of Caribbean countries. Influxes have disrupted coastal and marine social-ecological systems and are treated as environmental hazards. Linking the influxes to climate change and examining human adaptive responses are complex interdisciplinary quests. Yet, Caribbean small island developing states are taking adaptation actions from local to national levels of governance. There is no traditional or scientific knowledge on sargassum influxes, but current local knowledge is proving valuable. Local knowledge has informed how ecosystems and livelihoods are impacted and has guided climate change adaptation. Using the analytical framework of a policy cycle, this chapter examines current and potential contributions of local knowledge in addressing the seaweed influxes by drawing upon sargassum management plans, research literature, and project reports from Caribbean countries. There is no complete sargassum policy cycle anywhere, and no formal institutionalisation of local knowledge into policy. However, there is an informal use of local knowledge that can be built upon to provide opportunities for learning networks and other means for integrating local knowledge. Multi-level networks for engaging citizens in policy can build climate change adaptive capacity through use of local knowledge on sargassum, potentially contributing to improved resilience.
