Description/achievement of initiative
Generating the database and applying systems for treatment and effective management of the volume of sargassum reaching the beaches of Quintana Roo. Identifying the best methods for the containment/transport of sargassum and exchange this information with other affected countries. Industrializing the algae and generate resources that partially compensate for the economic impact on society. Launching an International competition to develop products from the sargassum while innovating the mechanisms for smart and sustainable collection. Organizing a regional conference around the topic with the participation of the 19 affected countries aiming the advancement of the UNSDGs and in support of sustainable tourism
Implementation methodologies
Puerto Morelos is today a success case in the management of sargassum thanks to the collaboration of its population from different fields.
The creation of the Puerto Morelos protocol was a 100% initiative of the society that meets every week to provide ideas and carry out actions and investments to create sargassum management systems. Working groups were created to document, investigate and implement the necessary techniques for the management of sargassum
The connection to the Council for International Accreditation of Architecture & Design- CIAAD was a key factor for outreach to the International Design community at both academic and professional levels.
This model can be replicated by other cities in the region and affected countries.
Countries affected by sargassum in the Caribbean
Continental countries
1.- Venezuela
2.- Colombia
3.- Panama
4.- Costa Rica
5.- Nicaragua
6.- Honduras
7.- Belize
8.- Mexico
9.- United States
10.- Trinidad and Tobago
11.- Granada
12.- Barbados
13.- Martinique
14.- Guadalupe
15.- Montserrat
16.- Puerto Rico
17.-Dominican Republic
18.- Jamaica
19.- Cuba
Islands:
St. Vicent
St. Lucia
Dominica
Montserrat
Antigua and Barbuda
St. Cristóbal
Anguilla
British Virgin islands
UDA virgin islands
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Outcomes, reports, and competition designs will be released under written license to the UN for coordination with individual governments for implementation and rollout as required.
Furthermore, the participants will grant the UN & CIAAD the right to use images for promotional purposes. Finally, the entrants indemnify the competition organizers against any intellectual property rights infringements inherent in their designs.
There are serious investigations of the organic content of sargassum, some possible uses of this algae have been identified in the industry.
Sargassum also has incredible potential to save money for the islands’ agriculture sector. It is increasingly being used as fertilizer and compost.
As long as it is properly cleaned and dried it contains many useful nutrients that promote healthy soil and help with weed control. Sargassum can be incorporated into any composting system we have in place.
There is a possibility to create profitable businesses around sargassum, laboratory tests have been carried out to document which of its possible uses is the most interesting and will generate the most impact due to the large quantities that arrive each month at the beaches.
It lists possible uses identified to date:
1- Alginates for the food industry
2- Cellulose for the creation of paper
3- Biogas for the generation of energy and natural gas
4- Compost for crops
5- Bioplastic
6- Bioconcrete and prefabricated as blocks or bricks for the construction industry
All these are in the testing stage, but the possibility of creating alternative industries to tourism in Mexico and the other countries of the Caribbean is very broad, the objective will be not to waste the organic matter and elements contained in this algae
Coordination mechanisms/governance structure
CIAAD (Council of International Accreditation for Architects and Designers) in coordination with the Protocolo de Puerto Morelos will manage the global design competition and organize the conference in Mexico in collaboration with an Executive Advisory Board of internationally renowned experts and creatives.
Committed sponsors will support the initiative and ongoing discussions with partners, universities and governments will seek the necessary support to the success of the conference, the competition and the achievement of the above goals.
Thanks to the creation of the protocol as a civil association duly registered in Mexico, there have been calls to municipal government, state government, federal government, senators, deputies, universities, National Commission of Protected Areas, scientists, researchers, Hoteliers Association, Association of Industrialists and Commerce, civil associations for the protection of the environment, entrepreneurs and volunteers.
Partner(s)
Council for International Accreditation of Architecture & Design- CIAAD
Protocolo de Puerto Morelos
American Institute of Architects- AIA
Interior Design Educators Council- IDEC
Association of International Education Administrators- AIEA
State and Private Universities in Mexico
The 2020 UN Ocean Conference
Sustainble Ocean Business
Regional Cooperation for national action on Caribbean Sea sustainability