While it is not a “new phenomenon,” Chief Fisheries Officer, Riviere Sebastien, says recent invasion of the Sargassum seaweed on the island’s shore is having a negative impact on the fishing sector.
Sargassum weed is a natural occurrence believed to originate in the Sargasso Sea, which is a two million-square-mile body of warm water in the North Atlantic Ocean near Bermuda- located off the eastern coast of the United States of America (USA). Some scientists believe the current influx was brought into the Eastern Caribbean through the North Brazil Current and because it thrives in warm, nutrient-rich water, the Sargassum simply spreads throughout the region
“I wouldn’t say it is a new phenomenon, we have records where is has been in our shores, at least 3-5 years. It is more pronounced now,” Sebastien told Dominica News Online.
The Chief Fisheries Officer noted that in Dominica there are two types of fishing, near to the shore and off shore, and fishermen of both types are being affected.
“It makes it impossible or very difficult to cast their nets, for them to catch fish or the weed itself gets trapped in the net,” he explained. “So if you are catching more seaweed than fish, then that is not very good, that is a big problem, and then it discourages fishermen from fishing.”
He said what follows is a loss of revenue and a loss of income.
“It’s a big problem…” he noted. “We have noticed that some of the catches have not been as much as they used to.”
On the flip side Sebastien stated, there is a positive aspect to the seaweed since it attracts fishes, so “there are one or two small positive impacts we can count on.”
The Chief Fisheries Officer mentioned further that they are doing some analysis on what areas are most affected, however, the phenomenon is very visible in the Marigot Bay but it can be seen in almost all seaside communities around the island.
He said Dominica will also be participating in a regional workshop in Barbados next week and ways will be looked at on how the matter can addressed throughout the Caribbean.
The Sargassum seaweed exhumes a stench and irritates the skin when one comes into contact and is a deterrent for sea bathers, especially in the summer.
“A lot of people don’t want to go to the beach,” Sebastien said. “The reality of the situation is that it is a natural phenomenon, and there is really nothing much we can do.”
DNO contacted the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association (DHTA) to ask whether hotel properties were being affected.
“We really have not been receiving significant complaints from our membership directly,” Executive Vice President of the DHTA Stephanie Astaphan said.
On Tuesday the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) expressed concerns over the matter saying it is being treated “seriously” and with “urgency” and a number of regional and international institutions have been engaged in their attempts at finding solutions.
“We are aware that the influx of sargassum can impact this aspect of our product and we will be at the centre of efforts to find a regional solution,” the organization said.
Don’t the Chinese have the solution?
What most people don’t realize is the fact that God sends the sea weed like this to help coastal marine species, to give us free fertilizer, and most importantly, to help preserve and protect the coast line in the event He sends a few hurricanes…..
Study nature people…..
I really think that all these see weeds around the Caribbean is a sigh of danger.i don’t know what is in store for the Caribbean but that’s a sign of some kind of catrosphy. I think the Caribbean is heading for some kind of natural disaster
This Saggassum has been around for the past few months Caribbean wide, Suggested solutions as above have been widespread … is no one doing anything about it? Doesn’t anyone want free fertiliser, God’s gift?
Please suggest to the fishermen that this is another way of earning money until they can go out fishing again.
Can this seaweed be eaten?Maybe we could use it for something.
Instead of just complaining tell us what is your plan to deal with the problem so the fishermen will not be “reluctant” to fish
I recommend collecting the seaweed and compressing them into small blocks. Seaweed makes good fertilizer. Distribute it to the farmers or create good compost with it(then distribute to the farmers).
Also the East Indians are using it to produce bio fuels…
yes that’s a problem
good fertilizer for our farmers…. collect it and compost it …. that is the message we should be spreading right now ….. banana and plantains farmers should collect and build compost heaps …… vegetable farmers also…………………
Very effective for celery,it thrives on it. Very much surprized at the results. Compost itand mix it with other material. Works wonders.
You listen to your Caribbean news very well
Did this nearly a year ago when it first appeared in large quantities, have put it to use many times before Caribbean news had it! Stop the sarcasm and do it also! We wait too long for others to tell us what to do,be innovative.