ATLANTICO_SARG project officially launched to tackle Sargassum impacts through science and collaboration

On September 10, partners from AIR Centre (Portugal), UNAM (Mexico) and IMar (Cabo Verde) held the kick-off meeting for ATLANTICO_SARG, a new triangular cooperation project funded under the second Call of the SEGIB / Camões, I.P. Triangular Cooperation Fund. Held online, the meeting brougtht together researchers and representatives from all three partner institutions to address the growing impact of Sargassum seaweed flooding on Cabo Verde's coasts.

This 18-month project aims to combine Earth observation, oceanographic modelling and public health research to build an early-warning system for the archipelago. Over the coming months, the consortium will develop a satellite-based Sargassum detection and historical diagnosis system for Cabo Verde, adapt ocean transport models to forecast landings, launch an early-warning digital platform mirroring one already operating in Mexico, and assess the public health impacts of Sargassum decomposition on coastal communities.

The kick-off meeting allowed the three teams to align on the project's first steps, confirm activity timelines and agree on next milestones for the months ahead.

Updates on the progress of ATLANTICO_SARG will be shared as the project develops.