The sustainability of seaweed aquaculture for blue growth and climate change adaptation in small island developing states : the case of Belize

Abstract

This doctoral thesis investigated the sustainability of seaweed aquaculture in Belize, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). While SIDS are inherently subjected to the extreme environmental and socioeconomic impacts of climate change, limited research has examined climate adaptation strategies within the context of sustainable livelihoods in seaweed farming. This study explores how seaweed farming contributes to sustainable livelihoods by integrating community-based (CbA) and ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) strategies framed through the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF). The research is situated within the broader context of Blue Transformation and Blue Economy, addressing the connections between livelihoods, environmental management, and national development objectives aligned with global sustainability agendas such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A triangulated mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative component included focus group discussions using the Community-based Risk Screening Tool-Adaptation and Livelihoods (CRiSTAL) toolkit, semi-structured interview household surveys, elite stakeholder interviews, and policy analysis using the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal (PESTEL) tool. The quantitative component included descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, cross-tabulation, and multi-linear regressions models to examine the relationship between livelihood capitals and seaweed production. This methodological integration provided a comprehensive understanding of both community-level and policy-level factors impacting the sustainability of seaweed farming livelihoods. The findings reveal that seaweed farming in Belize represents a viable and environmentally sustainable livelihood, yet it faces challenges from both climatic and non-climatic factors. While ocean temperature rises and storms impact farm productivity, more persistent issues such as limited financial resources, inadequate infrastructure, and weak institutional support constrain the sector’s long-term sustainability. The results show that EbA and CbA approaches positivity impact production outcomes, while farm size, gender, and value-adding activities display complex associations with harvest levels. Qualitative findings highlight the importance of traditional knowledge, collective action, and environmental stewardship in sustaining seaweed mariculture practices. The integration of these findings demonstrates coherence between household livelihood strategies, local community initiatives, and institutional frameworks. The research identifies the need for coordinated governance, improved policy coherence, and greater technical and financial investment to strengthen seaweed aquaculture as part of Belize’s Blue Economy strategy. This thesis makes three key contributions. First, it provides new empirical evidence linking SLF with community and ecosystem-based approaches in the context of SIDS. Second, it broadens the conceptual scope of sustainable livelihoods by incorporating ecological and cultural dimensions, offering a transferable framework for analyzing marine-based livelihoods. Third, it contributes to policy and practice by identifying specific areas for targeted investment, technical training, and inclusive governance to enhance the long-term sustainability of seaweed farming. The study concludes that seaweed aquaculture in Belize offers a sustainable and socially inclusive pathway for economic diversification and climate-aware development. Its continued success depends on integrating local practices with coherent policy frameworks that empower small-scale producers and align with national and international blue growth priorities. Future research should expand upon this tripartite hazard screening analysis to explore the interactions between risks, livelihoods, ecosystems, and governance across SIDS and beyond.