Recognising Seaweeds: Addressing Gaps in International Biodiversity Frameworks for Global Seaweed Conservation

• DOI: 10.1002/sd.3497
• Publication Date: 2025-04-29T10:45:12Z
• Authors: Shaun Beattie; Juliet Brodie; Nidhi Nagabhatla; Sophie Corrigan; Phaik E. Lim; Sze‐Wan Poong; Cicilia S. B. Kambey; Elizabeth J. Cott...

ABSTRACT As anthropogenic pressures increasingly impact marine ecosystems and the biodiversity they support, governance mechanisms for international conservation have emerged. Seaweed habitats are important repositories biodiversity, provide crucial ecosystem services that support both ocean human health. Despite their ecological significance, seaweeds been overlooked in global discourse compared to other habitats. This study provides a thematic analysis of 18 frameworks assess representation explores ways better integrate them into policies. Key obstacles preventing full integration include imperfect institutional coordination, inconsistent seaweed‐related terminology use, limited within targets absence legally binding agreements with enforcement mechanisms. To address these, recommendations improve frameworks, thereby supporting broader resilience. Improved seaweed will contribute achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below water).