Sargassum invasion in SVG – the worst since 2011

Local officials are looking at ways to deal with the mat of Sargassum seaweed that has taken over coastlines across the State.

And, this year’s invasion is said to be the biggest since 2011. Described as “a big problem” in the region, the influx of Sargassum hinders not only tourism related activities, but fishing and other boat operations.

Speaking on the issue during a press briefing on Wednesday,April 23, 2025, days after beds of Sargassum started once again to appear in local sea waters, Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar said this is yet another issue created by climate change, and the government is looking at ways to deal with the issues being created by the influx of seaweed.

“I know that detailed work has been done over the past years as it pertains to the sargassum seaweed here in St Vincent and the Grenadines and in the rest of the region, we are working with other member states of the OECS to have a collective approach so that we can have a solution that can benefit all,” Minister Caesar said at the press briefing on Wednesday.

He said it is important to work together to share the human resource capacity in the OECS sub-region and the wider CARICOM.

The Minister said that on Tuesday, the fisheries department received several calls from hotel owners across St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), particularly establishments located along the beaches. There were also reports from persons utilizing the ports.

“I continue to advocate that there are different solutions. We have worked with a technical team out of Martinique, and they’re still doing the requisite scientific research as to whether or not we can utilize this as fertilizer, but at this point in time, I do not advocate that, because there was a finding that there’s evidence of heavy metals, and it was also noted that it can be hazardous,” the Minister said, while noting that until there is a conclusive report, the Ministry is advising farmers not to utilize Sargassum as fertilizer or mulch.

“We are going to work with the fisherfolk of St Vincent and the Grenadines, because I know that they are impacted,” Caesar said, while adding that Cabinet is also discussing ways to address the issue.

“For example, the situation now in Owia at the fisheries Centre, where we have trapped in that area a large volume of seaweed. What we did in the past is that we had to hire persons to clear these areas, and we are going to work with the Hotel Association to see the work that we can do on the beaches,” Caesar promised on Wednesday.

Chief Fisheries Officer, Jennifer Cruickshank-Howard described the seaweed issue as creating “mixed feeling” while noting that this year’s influx is the largest seen around this time of year since 2011.

“We have been experiencing this type of event, and we are part of a project with the UNDP to have this addressed.

“We have been having discussions with the UNDP office in Barbados on ways by which they can assist,” Cruickshank-Howard explained.

The Chief Fisheries Officer said the UNDP project can assist a number of countries that have the same problem including Saint Lucia, Grenada, Saint Kitts Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados and that soon, SVG will be receiving equipment in the form of tractors and barriers.

“…barrier booms, to help us with this influx. It has been a project in the making now for maybe three to four years, and we are now seeing the future of it, and we are very happy to be part of the project. We will be working with the fishers in the different communities, especially in Owia, which is one of the fishing communities that has always been affected, even though it is in a small quantity,” Cruickshank-Howard said.

She said Owia is at a disadvantage when there is Sargassum, so the Ministry will be working closely with the fishers there.

“We know it has been affecting the other fishers, especially those who have to go to sea and have to use the various sites. For example, Kingstown. Yesterday (Tuesday), we saw a large quantity. We have never seen that before, but again, we will be working with our minister to make sure that we have some work being done, and we can assure the fishers that we will be working with them to address this issue,” Cruickshank-Howard promised.

Fisheries Officer attached to the Biology and Research Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture, Chimel Martin said the Sargassum mat has its positives and its negatives.

It is a nursery habitat for many species of fish, she pointed out, but it can cause navigational hazards for boats when it becomes stuck in their propellers.

“Once their engine is damaged, they can no longer go out at sea so there is a mixed feeling about it,” Martin said on Wednesday.

Also commenting at Wednesday’s press briefing was Jeremy Searles of the fisheries department who noted that sargassum has always been around, but the impact of climate change is creating a bigger issue, with warm temperatures and deforestation helping to increase its presence in the region.

“You can look at it as a blessing and a curse as there are good things and bad things and this is a time when we can look at entrepreneurs and say this is a resource we can utilize,” Martin commented. The Sargassum season typically runs from March through October.