Dennery Fishermen Struggle with Sargassum and Climate Change

Fishermen in Dennery are grappling with the escalating effects of climate change and the persistent presence of sargassum seaweed, which have drastically affected their livelihood. Operations Supervisor for the Dennery Fishermen’s Cooperative, Agnita Thomas, shared her concerns about the impact of sargassum seaweed with St Lucia Times. While the situation has improved somewhat, the long-term consequences are still being felt by the fishing community. “The first seaweed started in 2011 and it has continued,” Thomas said. “However, for 2024, we have not had much fluctuation of the surplus of seaweed in our bay.”  Despite the slight improvement, the effects on local fishing techniques and equipment remain significant. The accumulation of seaweed along the shore makes it increasingly difficult to catch fish, particularly pelagic species, which are often tangled in the seaweed. As Thomas put it, sometimes “fishermen come back with absolutely nothing.” In addition to the seaweed problem, fishers have to deal with damaged equipment. In previous years, the seaweed has clogged engine props, leading to distress calls to the Dennery Fishermen’s Cooperative, and sometimes requiring rescue operations. Thomas also noted that the sargassum buildup has altered the bay’s shoreline, making certain areas too shallow for safe boating. While the...