Free-swimming fauna associated with influxes of pelagic sargassum: Implications for management and harvesting

Mass accumulations of pelagic sargassum ( Sargassum natans and S. fluitans ) in the Tropical Atlantic, across Caribbean off coast West Africa, are causing extensive ecological socioeconomic harm. The extraordinary volumes influxes could also provide a business opportunity if innovative ways developed to utilise raw material. In-water harvesting provides best collect substantial amounts ‘fresh’ that can be used variety applications. However, rafts living diverse ecosystems with range associated fauna including fish targeted by fishers. consequences in-water on biodiversity, fishes, remain poorly understood. Characterisation this biodiversity within nearshore offshore environments is needed help guide harvest practices assess possible impacts fishing opportunities. We assessed free-swimming at various distances from shore use underwater video recordings. Over three-month period, total 35 surveys were conducted eastern southern coastline Barbados. Thirteen species (12 fishes one comb jelly) 8 families identified, family Carangidae representing greatest number (n=6). Application MaxN metric (maximum individuals seen during deployment) revealed significant correlations raft characteristics notably volume, distance water depth. three environmental variables accounted for 9% variation (adjusted R 2 community composition volume being major driver richness. This aligns theory supports our hypothesis larger would host greater results demonstrate strong affiliation between abundance will need considered managers when seeking compromise protecting beaches inundation