A GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR scientist has told an international audience that community engagement will be key to ensure lasting seaweed conservation efforts.

Shaun Beattie spoke at the One Ocean Science Congress in Nice, France. His talk was based around his research alongside Indonesia’s seaweed farmers and industry representatives and entitled “Global Stakeholder Understanding of Seaweed Biodiversity, Conservation, and Restoration – An Indonesian Case Study”.

The work is based on a trip earlier this year to interview nearly 100 seaweed stakeholders in Indonesia, as part of the GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR programme.

Shaun said the study aimed to examine stakeholder perspectives on the ecological and community value of seaweeds and their awareness of the factors affecting seaweed biodiversity.

Alongside SUPERSTAR colleague Cicilia Kambey, of the University of Malaya, he analysed how local practices align or diverge from global seaweed conservation priorities.

They identified effective strategies and barriers to sustainable seaweed management. Their findings aimed to provide actionable insights for advancing sustainable management of seaweeds, that both safeguard marine biodiversity and local livelihoods.

GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR programme leader Prof. Elizabeth Cottier-Cook said: “This work not only highlights the environmental pressures faced by wild seaweeds, but also shows the importance of speaking directly with local communities and indigenous peoples.

“Dictating policy changes, however well meaning, does not ensure the necessary buy-in. Listening to – and responding to – farmers’ thoughts on seaweed conservation and restoration is so important in shaping conservation policies going forwards.”