I’m Sonia Byun. As a sailor who’s circumnavigated the globe, I’ve witnessed how fragile coastal ecosystems are. The growing problem of sargassum, or seaweed, is wreaking havoc on beaches and coastal communities. What’s most troubling is that the solutions are reactive. Cities are hoping to do a good job with outdated methods, or relying on expensive solutions that don’t work. Crews are cleaning beaches in the dark, hoping not to disturb turtle nests, with little to no data guiding the process.
That’s why I’m starting Seaweed Sweep. We’re shifting from reactive to proactive. By using drones and satellite technology, we predict seaweed blooms, optimize cleanup, and minimize environmental impact.
Instead of sending seaweed to landfills, we’re partnering with startups to turn it into valuable products like fertilizers, creating a circular economy in the process.
I’ve spent my career solving complex, systemic problems with scalable, tech-driven solutions, and I’m bringing that approach to coastal management. Seaweed Sweep isn’t just another beach cleanup—it’s a proactive, sustainable solution for a growing environmental crisis, with real value for coastal communities, resorts, and businesses.
- Sonia Byun, Founder