Table 1.

Science and management/policy agendas needed for including macroalgae in the BC paradigm and in BC schemes.

The science agenda:

1. Development of reliable tools to fingerprint the contribution of macroalgae to oceanic C sink sites beyond the habitats.

2. Field evidence, derived with the tools above, of macroalgal burial rates and stocks in oceanic C sink sites beyond the habitats.

3. Improved estimates of the global area and production of macroalgae, resolved to the level of major functional groups.

4. Case studies providing evidence of effects of management practices, in terms of protection and enhancement of macroalgal area and production, for C sequestration beyond the habitat, to meet the additional requirement.

The management/policy agenda:

1. A certification system of the CO2 emissions avoided and/or of enhanced sequestration through protection and restoration of habitats and through seaweed farming.

2. Revising crediting schemes to incorporate macroalgal C sequestered beyond these habitats.

3. Establishing fair mechanisms apportioning macroalgal C sequestered in shared deep sinks among the participating nations.