A Spatial Justice Framework for Sargassum Inundations in Coastal Communities

Sargassum inundation events disrupt the economic stability and social wellbeing of coastal communities, particularly those reliant on tourism and blue economy sectors. Artisanal fishermen report that inundations severely hinder their work, leading to financial hardships, challenges in affording children’s education, and strains on family relationships. These hardships fall unequally across geographic regions, underscoring a spatial justice issue where communities with varying degrees of dependence on ecosystem services are impacted differently. While the direct impacts of sargassum are well-documented, limited attention has been given to the spatial inequalities that emerge as communities with different livelihoods are variably affected. This research applies a spatial justice approach, secondary data (e.g., the Ghana Canoe Frame Survey), and semi-structured interviews with artisanal fishermen to reveal spatial patterns of sargassum-driven risks. The resulting spatial justice framework will aid communities and policymakers across the Atlantic in identifying areas most vulnerable to sargassum inundation and guide the equitable design of preemptive support systems.