by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert

With age comes wisdom, unfortunately sometimes age just comes alone. Talking about wisdom. Did you know that the Sargassum seaweed offers a rich, underutilized source of compounds. Its cosmeceutical potential is gaining traction, especially for marine-based anti-aging and regenerative skincare innovations. It contains several potent anti-aging compounds like terpenoids that support skin health reduces signs of aging. Fucoxanthin has skin-brightening properties and supports skin elasticity.

Whatte yuh know? And you thought it was only a brown stinking nuisance that spoils the fun at the beach and the coastal livelihood. Yet, another marine-based innovation. First, hydrogen fuel generated from seawater. Now this. Sargassum is rich in unique bioactive compounds with proven applications in cosmetics, medicine, and wellness.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Caribbean will face the challenging massive influxes of sargassum seaweed again next season. It threatens tourism. All may seem quiet now. Thus, it is a good time to do some thinking and being prepared to turn an upcoming smelly crisis into a transformative opportunity. Does “When life gives you a lemon, make lemonade,” ring a bell? How about turning Caribbean seaweed into global skincare gold.

Think about it this way; we’re not just cleaning beaches from seaweed, we’re building a legacy of prosperity, wellness, and scientific excellence. Combining marine science and sustainable health tourism to position the Caribbean as a leader in marine-based anti-aging innovation.

Just think about taglines like “From Sea to Skin: Nature’s Anti-Aging Secret” or “Caribbean Gold, Where Wellness Meets the Waves”.

Economic diversification comes to mind. The global anti-aging skincare market is projected to reach US$ 88 billion by 2030. Marine-based and sustainable beauty is one of the fastest-growing segments. The potential revenue streams are product sales (imagine a Caribbean Gold Skincare line), licensing of extraction IP (Intellectual Property), cosmeceutical partnerships, and wellness tourism experiences. It supports Caribbean development as it creates jobs, cleans beaches, builds scientific capacity, and can empower youth. It’s a model for climate resilience and economic diversification.

Marine-based innovation in the Caribbean is often hindered by fragmented governance, limited R&D infrastructure, and weak collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers. The solution lies in building regional innovation ecosystems, investing in marine science capacity, and adopting a “triple helix” model of cooperation fostering partnerships between universities, businesses, and government.

Let’s not forget brain drain of scientific talent to North America and Europe as a common barrier for development and innovation. There are hardly any youth programs in marine science or biotech in the region, let alone on individual islands. “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late” - Benjamin Franklin. He should know. Franklin began inventing as a child and continued innovating throughout his life, creating many famous inventions between the ages of 11 and 78. So, let youth not age without gaining wisdom and perspective.

The Dominican Republic began exporting Sargassum to Finland in 2022, with an initial shipment of 100 truckloads. The algae are processed in Finland for use in cosmetics and the food industry. Regarding cosmetics, again amongst other for extracting anti-aging compounds. Barbados, St.Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago are actively collecting Sargassum, with exports primarily going to Europe and North America for, once again, amongst other cosmetic ingredients like anti-aging compounds and marine collagen. When something is repeated often it should become a lesson to be learned that the export potential is the emerging interest abroad for cosmetic and wellness applications.

What is all this diddle um diddle ay about ‘anti-aging’? Some people think: “We only have so many years to play hard to get. Time is running out!” Others believe that aging gracefully is just a polite way of saying you’re slowly falling apart with dignity. Either way, it creates a demand for solutions. In other words, there is a market for youth, beauty, and anti-wrinkling, powered in the Caribbean.     

Create products locally. Extracts can be used in serums, creams, masks, and emulsions.

Sargassum-derived compounds are generally biocompatible, non-toxic and well-tolerated. Flagship products could be branded with global appeal. ‘Ocean Renewal Serum’, a concentrated anti-aging elixir or ‘Marine Radiance Cream’, a daily moisturizer or purifying mask. The Caribbean harnesses the anti-aging power of Sargassum to create high-value skincare and regenerative health products. “Our formulations are rooted in Caribbean biodiversity and backed by green extraction science.” List as the blend of ingredients: Fucoidan, Fucoxanthin, Phlorotannin, Marine Terpenoids, and Alginate & Sterols.

The global wellness market is a US$ 5.6 trillion industry, with anti-aging and wellness tourism among its fastest-growing sectors. A new Eco-Tourism concept could integrate anti-aging: “Rejuvenate Naturally – The Caribbean’s First Anti-Aging Eco-Tourism Sanctuary”. Welcome to a new frontier in wellness travel, where longevity meets sustainability. Our Anti-Aging Eco-Tourism Sanctuary is a regenerative retreat nestled in the Caribbean, offering immersive experiences that harness the healing power of locally produced sargassum cosmetics and marine bio actives. This is not just a vacation; it’s a cellular reset. After tourists having visited the Caribbean and enjoyed the anti-aging wellness tourism concept, they should say “I’m not aging; I’m just becoming a classic vintage model.”

Let’s make the Caribbean the world’s destination for longevity and healing. A groundbreaking initiative can transform the region into a newly launched Sargassum Biocosmetics & Medicinal Innovation Hub where an environmental challenge is turned into a cosmetics formulation and regenerative resource. Where anti-aging power is a marine age-defense. Question is, who is going to break the ground?

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Integrity Chamber of Sint Maarten will host its biennial Integrity Symposium on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Belair Community Centre. This year’s theme, “Whistleblowing – Encouraging Accountability,” places a spotlight on the critical role whistleblowers play in promoting transparency, strengthening integrity systems, and ensuring accountability across all sectors within organizations.

The symposium will feature keynote presentations by two distinguished speakers.

• Mr. Wilbert Tomesen, Former Chair of the Dutch Whistleblowers Authority, who brings extensive expertise in developing frameworks that protect and empower individuals who expose misconduct; and
• Ms. Anika Kentish, Freelance journalist and advocate for media rights and freedom of expression across the Caribbean region, who will share insights on the intersection of journalism, ethics, and accountability.

Designed to highlight the vital role of whistleblowers in strengthening integrity systems, the symposium brings together guests representing both the public and private sectors to engage in meaningful dialogue around the courage it takes to expose wrongdoing and the importance of holding institutions accountable.

Local experts will join the event’s keynote speakers for a panel discussion to delve deeper into whistleblowing. The audience will have the opportunity to participate by providing feedback and asking questions of the speakers and panelists.

The Integrity Symposium serves as an important platform for open discussion and reflection on how we can continue to build a culture of integrity within Sint Maarten. By engaging with experts and stakeholders, the Chamber seeks to promote a deeper understanding of whistleblowing as a positive force for transparency and good governance.

For more, follow the Integrity Chamber on LinkedIn and Instagram at @Integrity Chamber    Sint Maarten and integritychamber.sx

Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean:--- In the afternoon of Wednesday, 5 November 2025, the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), in partnership with Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity (CARMABI) Foundation, will host the “Healthy Waters. Thriving Nature. Vibrant Communities” symposium on Curaçao. This event brings together scientists, decision-makers, community representatives, and conservation practitioners from across the Caribbean to spotlight the vital links between water quality, human health, and ecosystem resilience.
The symposium will also mark two significant milestones:
● The launch of DCNA’s Conservation and Restoration of Key Habitats Program, a multi-year initiative to strengthen habitat protection and restoration across the Dutch Caribbean.

● A celebration of 70 years of CARMABI’s contributions to research and conservation in the Dutch Caribbean.

Why this matters
Water is the lifeblood of coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. In the Dutch Caribbean and beyond, changes in nutrient levels, chemical loads, microbial activity, wastewater inputs, and other stressors are increasingly affecting coral reefs, mangroves, fisheries, and human well-being. This symposium aims to raise awareness, share best practices, and influence the science-to-policy pipeline for water quality protection.
Key themes and presentations
Attendees will hear keynote presentations from leading experts such as:
● Mark Vermeij (University of Amsterdam - CARMABI) on the status of coral reefs in the Dutch Caribbean.
● Andreas Haas (NIOZ) on microbial and chemical perspectives of coastal water quality around Curaçao.

● Andy Estep (Waitt Institute) on moving from science to policy in water quality protection.

● Jos Hill (The Nature Conservancy) on wastewater solutions and climate resilience.

● Marko Tosic (IOC Caribe, UN Oceans Decade) on coastal pollution science and regional policy.

Additional talks will cover DCNA Key Habitats Program (Arno Verhoeven) and reflections on 70 years of CARMABI research (Manfred van Veghel).

Who should attend
This symposium is relevant for marine scientists, environmental managers, government policy makers, NGO staff, private sector actors with coastal interests, community groups, and anyone working in or caring about coastal water quality, ecosystem health and community resilience in the Caribbean and beyond.
Format & registration
The event will take place on 5 November 2025 in Curaçao, and will also be available online via Zoom. Online Registration is free and open to all.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richinel Brug, has expressed his support for the initiative taken by Minister of Finance, Hon. Marinka J. Gumbs, to commission the Government Audit Bureau (SOAB) to conduct a financial audit of the OZR Fund. This fund is managed by the Social and Health Insurances (SZV) on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten.

“This is a another positive and necessary step toward improving transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. This audit will help bring clarity to the financial position of the OZR Fund and strengthen public confidence in how these important funds are managed. It is unfortunate that this audit was not conducted before considering the financial challenges of SZV.” stated Minister Brug.

The OZR Fund (“Overheidsziektekostenregeling”) provides health coverage for civil servants, teachers, and government-affiliated employees. Minister Brug noted that regular financial reviews are essential to ensure the fund remains sustainable and continues to meet its obligations to public sector workers and their families.

“This effort shows this government’s shared responsibility in promoting transparency and sound financial management,” Minister Brug continued. “By working together, we can ensure that SZV and the OZR Fund are managed effectively and with accountability to the people of Sint Maarten.This audit will also assist Government in the process of repaying the debt owed to SZV.”

The Ministry of VSA will continue to work along the Ministry of Finance and SZV in ensuring that the audit is completed and that its findings contribute to stronger governance practices going forward.