Tourism Minister allocates $1 Million for Sargassum research in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism, David Collado, has allocated US$1 million to the Interuniversity Network for Research on the Management and Treatment of Sargassum. The funding was received by Julio Sánchez Maríñez, rector of the Santo Domingo Institute of Technology (INTEC), representing a coalition of universities working to find sustainable solutions for the sargassum problem affecting the country’s beaches.

The Interuniversity Network includes INTEC, the Pontifical Catholic Mother and Teacher University (PUCMM), the Ibero-American University (UNIBE), the Pedro Henríquez Ureña National University (UNPHU), as well as Unapec, UFHEC, UCATECI, and ISA University. Collado emphasized that although sargassum is a global issue, the Dominican Republic is taking proactive measures to address it through scientific research. The funding will support projects focused on biodiversity, social impact, monitoring, and innovative treatment methods.

Juan Bancalari, president of ASONAHORES, welcomed the initiative, highlighting that the private sector has already made significant investments to combat sargassum. He expressed confidence that university-led research will yield effective solutions that contribute to economic growth. This initiative strengthens collaboration between the government, academia, and the private sector, aiming for long-term environmental and economic benefits.