St Vincent: Sargassum seaweed damaging fishing boat engines
The influx of sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean has been affecting fishers in St Vincent and the Grenadines, which has caused the Cabinet to direct the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Transformation and Fisheries to activate the seaweed invasion task force to advise on the management of the seaweed.
Speaking in Parliament earlier this week, Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar said many persons in the fishing industry have noted that the seaweed is causing greater wear and tear on their engines; however, SVG does not have facilities in the country that are sufficient to service these engines as quickly as they are being brought in to be serviced.
Caesar said the government is aware of the issue regarding the sargassum seaweed, which is before them, as it's impacting not only tourism but fisheries.
The minister said it is a nuisance to persons in the hospitality industry who own and operate facilities on beaches, persons who want to use the beach for bathing and boatmen.
Caesar recalled an experience while on a small two-engine boat coming from Union Island about six months ago when during very rough seas, the captain had to stop the boat because the seaweed was affecting the engines.
He noted that large quantities of seaweed were cleared from Owia fisheries in 2015 when there was a large influx, and some experiments were done with the seaweed at Orange Hill.
The minister said in areas where they have received complaints from persons about a significant buildup, especially in bays, for example, in Union Island and Owia, the government had paid to clear these areas.
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