Grenadines Seamoss Alchemy: Seamoss Storefront and Interpretative Centre

The Seamoss Association of St Vincent and the Grenadines opened its first dedicated storefront and interpretative centre at the Gingerbread on Admiralty Bay in Bequia on 19 November 2025, funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. The Association calls it Grenadines Seamoss Alchemy, a women led innovation hub. It sells what the islands actually grow: raw dried seaweed alongside teas, gels, skincare and snacks, all from local producers. An interpretative section sets out the history of seamoss cultivation in the Grenadines, which is more recent than most people assume. Eucheuma cottonii was introduced to the Grenadines in 2004 through a 4H project led by Ann Harvey on Union Island, reaching Mayreau in 2014, Canouan in 2018 and Bequia in 2020.

Accessibility: Sea moss is line farmed in the sea, so it needs no fresh water, no land and no feed. On islands with no rivers and a stalled desalination plant, that matters more than almost any other crop. The Association is a non profit community based organisation founded in 2023, supporting over 10 women entrepreneurs across three islands, with 60+ seamoss farmers across Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island, and it is rebuilding an industry Hurricane Beryl badly damaged.