Antigua and Barbuda set to prohibit sand exports

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Six billion tonnes of sand is taken annually from oceans, causing irreparable damage to seabed wildlife, studies say (Photo courtesy iStock)
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The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda is poised to enact legislation that will ban the export of sand from both Antigua and Barbuda, while continuing to allow sand mining for domestic use.

The decision comes in response to growing concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale sand removal, particularly from Barbuda.

An environmental expert recently presented an assessment detailing the extensive sand extraction over the past five decades.

The report highlighted the unsustainability of continued sand removal at current levels, even in the short term.

Key environmental concerns that prompted this action include negative impacts on freshwater aquifers, leading to brackish water; destruction of sand dunes, some as high as 12 to 14 feet; and harm to coral reefs, which play a crucial role in reducing wave energy during storms and ground swells.

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