A UK-based firm presented its approach to managing sargassum at a recent stakeholder meeting, prompting discussions about environmental impacts and implementation challenges in Antigua and Barbuda.
Environmentalists, government officials, and hotel industry representatives gathered to evaluate the proposal from Seafields, a UK-based aquaculture business, for floating containment systems in Atlantic coastal waters.
The presentation outlined a system using floating paddocks, though specific operational details remain under review.
“For Antigua, the geography is particularly well-suited, with large bays on the Atlantic side that get reliability of wind,” CEO John Auckland told stakeholders during the presentation.
The proposal suggests implementation in several bays, including Nonsuch Bay, with claims of possibly creating 50 year-round jobs. However, employment figures would depend on the scale of operations.
Local marine biologist Ruleo Camacho evaluated the concept’s potential while highlighting necessary considerations.
“It’s an innovative solution which potentially closes the sargassum loop by creating not only ways to capture it but identifying a market for the end product,” Camacho said, while noting concerns about large-scale implementation.
The company cited a test deployment in St Vincent, though long-term data on environmental impacts is still being gathered.
Caribbean hotels and coastal properties currently report spending up to US$25,000 per day on sargassum management, according to industry estimates.
“When you see a hotel that’s been shut down for sargassum, when you see houses that are worth 10 million not being able to be sold… there’s so many services linked to that spot,” a presenter noted during discussions of economic impact.
Environmental concerns dominated much of the stakeholders’ dialogue.
“Understanding the impacts of holding that large quantity of sargassum can have on the health of shallow bays is crucial,” Camacho explained.
“This will concentrate activities which can result in over-exploitation. And the possibility of a reduction in sunlight can impact the growth of seagrass beds.”
In addition, the presentation addressed hurricane preparedness measures.
“They’ve modelled right up to Category 4 winds, so they can withstand pretty much right up to hurricane [conditions],” Auckland said, “but the reality is if a hurricane’s coming, you’ve just got to take them down.”
Maritime safety emerged as another significant concern among stakeholders.
Camacho warned, “It could be hazardous to yacht and boat traffic if sufficient communication, markings, and awareness-raising activities aren’t included.”
The company indicated plans to incorporate navigational aids such as lights and radar beacons, though specific safety protocols are still under development.
“We’ll be working with fishermen, consulting them as to where they think is a good place to put it, where it’s not a good place to put it,” Auckland said.
The Scientific Project Manager Dr Tremaine Bowman announced their commitment to local consultation.
“We are a science-led company,” she stated. “There will not be any decisions made without consulting local officials, government ministers and the public.”
While Camacho acknowledged that “collection of the sargassum is not something new,” he noted that “the processing and export is new”.
He emphasized that “large scale trials would be needed” to fully understand the suitability of Antigua’s Atlantic bays for this system, noting the importance of thorough environmental assessment before any implementation.
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