What happens between cultivating seamoss in the sea and transforming it into a product on the shelf? Who are the people behind this growing industry, and what possibilities lie ahead for its future? The public is invited to discover the answers at Seamoss Sent Lisi — Saint Lucia Seamoss Festival 2026, beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, 22 October, at Derek Walcott Square in Castries.
Organised by the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund (SLUNCF), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development, the inaugural festival will bring together seamoss farmers, agro-processors, entrepreneurs, technical specialists and supporting agencies for a day of learning, engagement and celebration.
Following a formal opening ceremony, the festival will feature demonstrations, product displays and cultural activities throughout the day, bringing the experiences, expertise and enterprise of Saint Lucia’s seamoss farming communities into the heart of the capital.
Guided by the themes Learn, Experience, Discover and Connect, the festival will offer visitors an opportunity to explore how seamoss is cultivated, engage directly with industry practitioners and discover the diverse range of products made from this valuable marine resource. Through conversations with farmers and entrepreneurs, attendees will gain insight into the work involved in building a seamoss enterprise, the challenges facing producers and their aspirations for the sector’s future.
Beyond showcasing local products, Seamoss Sent Lisi will highlight the wider efforts underway to strengthen sustainable seamoss production, support livelihoods and encourage innovation across Saint Lucia’s seamoss industry.
SLUNCF Project Officer, Mr Erland George, emphasised the festival’s cultural significance, particularly during Creole Heritage Month.
“Seamoss Sent Lisi is an opportunity to celebrate the connection between local enterprise, Saint Lucian culture and the coastal communities that continue to shape this sector. By bringing these stories and experiences into the heart of Castries, we can deepen public appreciation for the people, traditions and innovation behind our seamoss industry,” he noted.
The festival forms part of a broader seamoss grant initiative designed to provide strategic support for the development of the sector. SLUNCF Programme Officer, Ms Diana Joseph, explained “the grant represents an investment in key areas of sector development, including the promotion of more sustainable seamoss production methods and the advancement of innovation in the development of high-value seamoss products,”.
The grant is made possible through funding from L’Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and Le Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM), through the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF).
Members of the public, families, students and businesses are encouraged to attend Seamoss Sent Lisi — Saint Lucia Seamoss Festival 2026. Visitors can explore the displays, meet exhibitors, learn from local producers and support Saint Lucian enterprise. Whether discovering seamoss for the first time or finding new ways to enjoy a familiar product, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the creativity, cultural heritage and economic potential of this growing industry.