Major plans for fight against sargassum

Government is preparing to ramp up its response to the growing sargassum seaweed problem, including plans to begin offshore collection efforts as massive blooms continue to threaten Barbados’ beaches, fisheries and tourism industry.

Speaking during the launch of a Barbados Marine Spatial Plan-themed bus at the Garrison on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment, Santia Bradshaw warned that the annual influx of sargassum continues to create major environmental and economic challenges for the island.

“This valuable marine space also faces very real threats. Sargassum seaweed influxes continue to impact our beaches, fisheries, coastal communities, and tourism product, while coastal erosion threatens our infrastructure, our ecosystems, and our vulnerable shorelines across the island.

“These challenges remind us why careful planning and sustainable management of our marine environment are so critical,” Bradshaw said.

She said government was already pursuing several coordinated responses to the issue, including employing contract workers for beach clean-up exercises and partnering with international agencies and governments to improve collection efforts.

“This includes engaging contract workers to support the cleanup efforts and collaborating with international agencies such as the UNDP and countries such as Japan to increase the use of mechanized equipment for more efficient and large-scale sargassum removal,” Bradshaw explained.

The Environment Minister said Barbados has also been exploring long-term and locally driven solutions to the recurring problem, which she noted has persisted for more than a decade.

“Since becoming Minister of the Environment, my team and I have engaged with countries, investment agencies including the IDB, as well as our local stakeholders to find homegrown solutions to this ongoing problem which has persisted regrettably since 2011,” she said.

Bradshaw disclosed that government is now turning its focus to offshore collection as part of a broader strategy to reduce the volume of seaweed reaching the island’s coastlines.

“We have determined that while we continue our cleanup efforts, we must now also turn our attention to the offshore collection of sargassum, and we have been in discussions with a dedicated team of experts who will work with our local stakeholders to find the most cost-effective and efficient way to help us achieve this in the coming months,” she said.

The minister added that officials expect this year’s sargassum bloom to be among the worst experienced so far.

“It is clear that more systematic action is needed, especially as this year’s bloom is expected to reach record levels, affecting lives, livelihoods, and coastal communities,” Bradshaw stated.

She said the newly launched educational bus would help raise awareness about marine conservation across the island while highlighting the importance of protecting Barbados’ coastal resources.

(SB)