Minister of Agriculture Hon. Saboto Saboto Caesar said this country along with other OECS member states are working together on a collective approach to deal with the continued accumulation of the sargassum sea weed.
On Monday April 21st several locations around St. Vincent and the Grenadines such as the water front at the Kingstown Cruise Terminal, the Owia fisheries center as well as a number of closed bays were covered with sea weed, creating difficulties for a fishers and tourism stakeholders.
In an interview with the API earlier today, the Agriculture Minister said the ministry will continue to work with fisherfolk along with the Tourism Stakeholders and the issue will also be discussed at Cabinet level.
Minister Caesar took the opportunity to advise farmers not to use the seaweed as fertilizer or mulch. He said studies have indicated the presence of heavy metals which can be harmful and advised farmers to wait until a comprehensive study on the sea weed is completed.
Chief Fisheries Officer Jennifer Cruickshank -Howard said the sargassum has been affecting this country since 2011, with yesterday’s influx being the largest amount to date.
Cruickshank-Howard said under a United Nations Development Project (UNDP), this country will receive equipment such as tractors and barriers and the department will continue to work with stakeholders to alleviate the impact of the sargassum seaweed.
