Saint Lucia Intensifies Plan Of Action To Tackle Spreading Sargassum Seaweed

Saint Lucia is enhancing its strategy to combat the escalating sargassum crisis, engaging in pivotal discussions, garnering international support, and initiating clean-up operations as the invasive seaweed reaches previously untouched shores. Recently, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture convened a forum focusing on the economic and ecological repercussions of these recurring blooms. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has pledged assistance, including studies on sargassum reuse and specialized removal technologies aimed at restoring the island's beaches. Facing unprecedented sargassum levels—38 million tonnes recorded in May alone—the impacts are severe, affecting tourism and local wildlife. Keith Nichols from Caricom’s Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre highlighted the need for large-scale solutions, noting that traditional responses are insufficient for the current crisis scale. Stakeholders advocate for a comprehensive national strategy to mitigate this growing challenge.