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Sargassum Menace

For the last several years the coastlines of Caribbean islands have from time to time been clogged with sargassum. It is a seaweed that floats on the surface of the sea, inevitably reaching the coastlines of landmasses in its path.  Besides the unsightly look of the seaweed covering the beaches, the stinking smell of the…

For the last several years the coastlines of Caribbean islands have from time to time been clogged with sargassum. It is a seaweed that floats on the surface of the sea, inevitably reaching the coastlines of landmasses in its path. 

Besides the unsightly look of the seaweed covering the beaches, the stinking smell of the sargassum as it decays is worse than the smell of a thousand wet farts.

It does not matter if the sargassum menace is caused by global warming or a freak of nature. What matters is that it represents a formidable threat to the economic survival of small island developing states in the region. Since 2011 sargassum has been an economic threat to Caribbean islands and unsurprisingly, it has not provoked a collective response from our leaders. 

It seems foolhardy for economic planners in Barbados and neighbouring territories to be committing millions, billions of dollars to the tourism plant and at the same time ignore the threat sargassum posses to the sector. After a decade the region seems helpless to fight back. We have to find a solution to trap and collect the seaweed at sea before it pollutes our beaches. Who wants to travel thousands of miles to have the rotting stench of sargassum assail the nostrils and the unsightly look it presents?

The following link is presented as a positive step to addressing the issue. Why are we not sensing greater urgency from leaders in the region about combating the threat sargassum posses to the livelihood of the region?

Stinky seaweed is clogging Caribbean beaches – but a New Zealand solution could turn it into green power and fertiliser

https://images.theconversation.com/files/465600/original/file-20220526-20-aw4z77.jpg

Published: May 31, 2022 3.16am BST

https://theconversation.com/stinky-seaweed-is-clogging-caribbean-beaches-but-a-new-zealand-solution-could-turn-it-into-green-power-and-fertiliser-183807

Thanks Bentley!

62 responses to “Sargassum Menace”

  1. David Avatar
    David

    @TLSN

    As far as the blogmaster is aware there has been research complied. What are the action items arising, your guess is as good as anyone.

  2. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    You are aware serious research at any university requires funding. UWI is not a research although it dabbles in research.

  3. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David
    Research requires intelligence, innovation, creativity and risk-taking. Effective research ATTRACTS funding.
    Looking for ‘funding’ in the absence of the above attributes is called mendicancy…. even when you justify it with talk of reparations.

  4. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    I posted a comment on UWI’s research on the sargassum seaweed.

  5. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    Sorry, missed it.

  6. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    No problem.

    Some criticisms of UWI are totally unfounded.

  7. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    So why not defend them directly Artax.
    Bushie is critical because of the IMMENSE value that COULD be had …IF .. UWI was anyway as effective as they have the CAPABILITY to be…

    Unfortunately,
    Bushie judges by RESULTS boss… not by promises or theory.
    so…
    Please help the bushman to see the error of his ways….

    BTW @David
    Have another view of your MPH clip from Singapore, and then immediately review BU’s 10 point plan ….

  8. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    Remember, the discussion was FOCUSED SPECIFICALLY on UWI’s RESPONSE to SARGASSUM seaweed.

    Anything else is irrelevant.

    Some contributors seemed to be suggesting UWI hasn’t made any SERIOUS EFFORT to conduct research on sargassum sea weed…… or, the institution lacks the capability to do so.

    I responded by simply providing BU with some information that would, ‘more or less,’ refute what apparently was being suggested.

    Has UWI made any serious effort to conduct research on the sargassum menace?

    The answer to that question is a ‘resounding YES,’…… and can be verified by UWI-CERMES’ wedbsite, more specifically, the Sargassum Reference Repository.

    UWI-CERMES has been at the FOREFRONT warning the entire Caribbean region, including the Dutch islands, about sargassum, while providing pertinent information as well.

    Additionally, FAO was working with fisherfolk, policymakers and scientists from the University of the West Indies’ Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies to increase the resilience of coastal communities and reduce their vulnerability to the deleterious effects of sargassum.

    There are several sources of information.

    Surely, under the specufic circumstances, ‘UWI has been as effective as they have the CAPABILITY to be.’

    I stand firmly behind my comment that criticisms of UWI are totally unfounded.

  9. David Avatar
    David

    @Artax

    The blogmaster was in a forum many years ago where from the horses mouth made aware about research/initiatives. What should be shared is has the research been acted on by respective governments. We have the LIAT experience to guide expectations.

  10. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    @ David

    Don’t forget the CDB’s study on the airline.

    Since you mentioned LIAT.

    ST. VINCENT TIMES

    Updated:07, March 2023 : 12:18 pm

    “Antigua appears to be alone when it comes to the new LIAT- Browne.”

    Gaston Browne, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, says that the island seems to be on its own when it comes to making a new company to replace LIAT (1974) Limited, which went out of business in 2020.

    “At the moment, most heads seem to think that there are enough assets in the region. In fact, the Caribbean Development Bank and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) did a study, and I went to a meeting about it in St. Lucia, where everyone agreed that the region has enough assets to meet its needs.

    https://www.stvincenttimes.com/antigua-appears-to-be-alone-when-it-comes-to-the-new-liat-browne/

  11. David Avatar
    David

    No surprise Artax. Antigua in the Blogmaster’s view sabotaged LIAT 1974 and the result was inevitable. The demise of LIAT is symptomatic of a dysfunctional common space re:CARICOM.

  12. David Avatar
    David

    Sargassum trials ‘promising’

    Results close as researchers test crop production

    Very soon, researchers will be certain about whether using Sargassum seaweed in crops can bear fruit.

    In the meantime, farmers are still being cautioned not to take the seaweed from the beach and integrate it directly into their crop production.

    Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) representative in Barbados, Chadeene Beckles, made those points as she gave an update on several of their initiatives, including the ongoing Sargassum Products For Climate Resilience In The Caribbean project.

    “We have collaborated on some research trials looking at the use of Sargassumderived liquid extract and what the impact of those extracts would be on the production of fruiting crops.

    “We did some trials using cucumber and we’ve been conducting comparisons to see the performance of the crop under regular conditions, and what the growth and fruiting of the crop are when we apply Sargassum liquid extract.

    Climate-smart projects

    “So far we have seen some promising results, but we are still at the stage where are awaiting the results and statistical analysis so we can make the necessary conclusion,” Beckles said.

    Those trials were conducted at CARDI’s field station at the Ministry of Agriculture in Graeme Hall, Christ Church, from September to December 2023. Beckles was speaking to the Weekend Nation recently as CARDI continued its series of climate-smart projects.

    She said the Sargassum project was being executed in partnership with the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Plant & Food Research Institute of New Zealand, with some funding through New Zealand’s Ministry of Commerce. Over US$200 000 was invested in the project.

    Beckles said as they await further results, they are also conducting field studies and surveys with farmers, especially since climate change continues to be a challenge.

    “Sargassum has been a major challenge and I think that this year, we will probably see some influxes [with] the direct correlation with the extreme levels of heat we experienced last year.

    “Therefore we are preparing to do some in-field trials with farmers so we can then take the results from our greenhouse trials and transfer that into real-life situations, to confirm and validate what we saw in our trials,” she added.

    She, however, urged farmers to be cautious using Sargassum in their productions.

    “There is a lot of talk and discussion about the presence of heavy metal in Sargassum, so we are doing our due diligence to see the level of heavy metals in the soil, the fruit and leaves.

    “If we want to promote these types of products to farmers, we want to make sure they are confident and comfortable with what we are encouraging them to use and that it is safe for them and consumers.

    “We will also be engaging farmers to say this is how we can produce these things by following various guidelines to get this output because a farmer shouldn’t simply pick up Sargassum from the beach and drop it on their farm because that may create an issue,” she added.

    Perform under stress

    In addition to the Sargassum project, CARDI is also engaging in the Regional Sweet Potato Value Chain Enhancement and Technology, which they hope will also improve the production of five market-preferred types of sweet potatoes, such as the Evangeline, and orange flesh sweet potatoes.

    “We want to make sure that the varieties the market is asking for, are what farmers can produce under stressful conditions. We are taking them back to the field to see how these varieties will perform under stress and drought conditions because that is becoming more of a reality for our farmers.

    “If any of them perform well, it would signal to us that these are some of the varieties that we want to put a lot of focus and emphasis on, not only growing more of them but making sure we have good planting material,” Beckles explained.

    CARDI will also continue its Promotion of Agricultural Crop Production Systems Which Demonstrate Resilience to Climate and Weather project in schools in communities.

    As part of the project, hydroponic systems have been set up at Welches Primary School, Ellerton Primary School, New Horizon Academy, St Ambrose Primary School, Mount Tabor Primary School, and another will be set up at Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School.

    Another will be set up within the Newcastle, St John community.

    “With climate change, you are getting hotter conditions, so you’re seeing an increase in pest and disease and the possibility of mould and fungus developing, so using alternative planting methods reduces these types of risk.

    “With these systems, we are looking at the benefits of not having to use soil, especially now when there is some waterlogging . . . . This way you will reduce the amount of water to produce your crops and you don’t have to deal with the issue of weeding,” Beckles said.

    The government of Ireland funded US$50 000 toward the promotion project while CARDI invested US$77 000. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Agriculture also assisted.

    (TG)

    Source: Nation

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