Stretching over 5 million km2, the Sargasso Sea is a high seas ecosystem found within the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. The foundation of this unique ecosystem is the floating, golden Sargassum seaweed for which the sea is named.
Sargassum supports ten endemic species that have adapted to live their whole lives on the open sea. It also acts as a critical nursery habitat for many species of pelagic fish and all species of Atlantic Sea turtle.
Significantly, the Sargasso Sea is the only known spawning ground for two species of endangered anguillid eel. Moreover, it serves as a migratory corridor for several species of sharks, rays, and cetaceans.
The Sargasso Sea is threatened by various pressures – including impacts from shipping, fishing, plastic and other pollutants, and climate change.
The Common Ocean Program will demonstrate how cooperation and partnership can play a leading role in sustaining and restoring the productivity and health of the Sargasso Sea’s ecosystem.
Key activities
Improve knowledge of the ecosystem
Conduct an ecosystem diagnostic analysis for the Sargasso Sea, the first ever on a high seas ecosystem, in order to provide a baseline to guide long-term collaborative monitoring and stewardship.
Set up a collaborative stewardship mechanism
Develop a strategic action programme to lay out how conservation aims can be achieved, including a budget to support an ecosystem-based governance approach in the Sargasso Sea.
Share knowledge
Disseminate lessons learned to strengthen stewardship in other ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).
Partners
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Facts and figures
The global market for American and European glass eels is worth billions of dollars, and the Sargasso Sea is the only place they spawn.
Floating Sargassum mats have been recorded to support over 145 invertebrate species and over 127 species of fish. It has been recognized as essential fish habitat by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The Sargasso Sea supports the breeding and feeding of many migratory species of sharks, rays, and cetaceans.
The net sink of carbon dioxide in the Sargasso Sea represents around 7% of the global net biological carbon pump.