Black groups partner to turn sargassum into sustainable textiles in Belize

By AI, Created 1:52 PM UTC, June 02, 2026, /AGP/ – Black in Marine Science and the Black Fiber & Textile Network are teaming up in Belize to convert harmful sargassum seaweed into fiber and textile materials. The effort combines coastal cleanup, workforce training and product development in a model leaders say could boost local jobs and reduce marine waste.

Why it matters: - The partnership turns a coastal pollution problem into a potential source of sustainable materials, local jobs and environmental benefits in Belize. - The effort links marine science with textile innovation to reduce waste and create community-driven solutions. - Leaders say the model could improve coastal cleanliness, support tourism and wildlife, and reduce pressure on marine ecosystems.

What happened: - Black in Marine Science (BIMS) and the Black Fiber & Textile Network (bftn) formed a partnership to transform harmful sargassum seaweed into sustainable fiber and textile materials. - The collaboration centers on Bloom to Business, a BIMS initiative in Belize. - Local Belize residents are being trained and mobilized to collect and process sargassum. - Once processed, the material is passed to bftn for textile and fiber product exploration.

The details: - BIMS is represented in 34 countries, and bftn includes more than 70 Black-owned businesses focused on sustainable and regenerative practices. - Sargassum is a seaweed that washes onto Caribbean coastlines in large amounts. - Bloom to Business is training community members to act as community scientists while building workforce skills. - BIMS has already explored prototype sargassum products including fertilizer, artwork and sand supplement solutions for beach erosion. - Artwork made through the initiative has already been donated and placed in local Belize hotels. - BIMS founder Dr. Tiara Moore said the work starts with community and creates pathways for environmental impact, workforce development and innovation. - bftn founder Teju Adisa-Farrar said microplastics from synthetic textiles pollute oceans, contribute to climate change, disrupt marine life and harm coral reefs. - bftn says the partnership extends its broader mission of elevating Black farmers, designers, artisans and producers building more sustainable fiber and textile systems.

Between the lines: - The project positions sargassum as a feedstock rather than waste, which could help communities extract value from an environmental nuisance. - The partnership also reflects a broader push to center Black-led organizations in climate solutions, blue economy work and sustainable manufacturing. - BIMS is using the Belize project to connect local training with a larger institutional vision, including a planned permanent hub in Belize.

What’s next: - BIMS and bftn will continue exploring how processed sargassum can become sustainable fiber and textile products. - BIMS is also advancing the five-year, $50 million From Addie to Ambrose campaign to establish a permanent BIMS Institute hub in Belize. - The planned center is expected to support marine research, workforce development, training, storytelling and blue economy projects.

The bottom line: - A seaweed problem in Belize is becoming a test case for community-led climate innovation, with textile reuse at the center.