Since 2011, massive Sargassum drifts have plagued Caribbean beaches, severely impacting tourism-dependent economies, reducing incomes, and posing public health risks. However, these seaweed masses also present economic opportunities. Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans contain valuable bioactives like fucoidans and fucoxanthin, worth $100–$5000 per kilo. Simple applications include biostimulants, animal feed, and biogas, while advanced extractions yield high-value compounds and biomaterials. These possibilities will be explored further.
