Since 2011, massive accumulations of Sargassum have been affecting the coastlines of Caribbean countries. These events have had substantial impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as the economies of Caribbean  countries, particularly the fisheries and tourism industries. The challenges posed by Sargassum are significant for Small-Islands Development Sates in the region and without proper management, are expected to have severe impacts.

The World Bank is engaging with clients and development partners in the Caribbean to support a regional response to Sargassum, building on its Blue Economy portfolio and pipeline. This assignment will provide analytical underpinning to inform the World Bank’s client dialog and operational engagement. Together with an ongoing Sargassum value chain assessment. it constitutes a first phase of analytics and advisory services funded by the Multi-Donor Umbrella Trust Fund ProBlue to prepare the integration of the management of Sargassum it into operational engagements and investments.

The objective of the assignment is: (1) to summarize the ecological impacts of Sargassum on marine life, biodiversity and ecosystems in selected countries of the Caribbean and (2) to assess the economic impacts of Sargassum for the fisheries and tourism industry in selected countries of the Caribbean.

The World Bank is looking for a qualified organization/firm or consortium to assess ecological and economic impacts from Sargassum in the Caribbean. The assignment is expected to provide analytical underpinning to inform the World Bank’s client dialog and operational engagement in the region. 

The specific objective of the assignment is: (1) to summarize the ecological impacts of Sargassum on marine life, biodiversity and ecosystems in selected countries of the Caribbean and (2) to assess the economic impacts of Sargassum for the fisheries and tourism industry in selected countries of the Caribbean.