In June 2023, the IUCN Species Survival Commission created the Seaweed Specialist Group. This international group of scientists and practitioners will work to assess and improve the conservation status of seaweeds, build networks and partnerships to prioritize conservation actions and communicate the importance of seaweed species.

Seaweeds (macroalgae) are found in all oceans and seas, with > 10,000 known marine species that include the red (Rhodophyta, c. 6,200 species), brown (Ochrophyta, c. 1,800) and green (Chlorophyta, c. 1,800) taxa. However, climate change and other anthropogenic stressors threaten many seaweeds globally, including iconic habitat-forming species such as kelps, fucoids and rhodoliths. The Seaweed Specialist Group has a global ecosystem and conservation focus, and we use our combined knowledge to inform decision-making and science-based actions for seaweed conservation. The group is diverse in geographical distribution and technical expertise, with members from all continents, because addressing the global and local challenges that seaweeds face requires diverse perspectives and skills.

Given the number of seaweed species, the Seaweed Specialist Group will initially prioritize conservation assessment, planning and action for key taxa. For example, there is an urgent need for management and conservation initiatives for more than 120 species of Laminarian kelps. Kelps are the dominant habitat-forming species found along over 30% of the world's coastlines. They support thriving ecosystems and local livelihoods and provide various benefits to people, yet their conservation status needs to be better understood. Moreover, recent ocean warming and marine heatwaves combined with other anthropogenic stressors (e.g. exploitation, overgrazing and pollution) have resulted in the loss of > 90% of kelp forests in regions of Australia, the USA and Mexico, with significant implications for associated biodiversity and local economies. By 2025, the Seaweed Specialist Group aims to assess the conservation status of at least 120 Laminarian species.

Giant kelp forest of Macrocystis pyrifera in Baja California, Mexico, August 2023. Photo: Eduardo Sorensen, Mission Blue/Mas Kelp.

The Seaweed Specialist Group invites researchers and practitioners, especially those in phycology, ecology, climate change and conservation, to reach out with inquiries, offers of collaboration, and contributions that support our conservation efforts.