Call to action on sargassum

A CALL TO ACTION has been made for residents to come out and work towards solving the problem of sargassum seaweed piling up on our beaches.

Concerned citizen Gabriel Abed made the call today in light of the 42 turtles which died “as a result of our inaction”.

“Time for action is yesterday. We are already late so let’s get moving,” he urged.

Abed is encouraging residents to meet tonight on the beach at Hastings, Christ Church, in front of Dread or Dead Surf Shop from 7 to 10 p.m.

He hopes to form a charity and organise private and public participation in tackling the sargassum.

Abed already has a commitment from 14 members of his staff who will donate eight hours every three weeks to cleaning, but he also hopes to organise a roster for cleaning, collection, dumping and production.

Part of the plan is also to tackle the sargassum before it reaches the shores.

“You can’t only attack once it reaches; we need to tow it in as well,” he said. “The breakdown is causing a disruption to life and we could collect it first.”

Sargassum is blanketing many of the popular beaches across Barbados and is a real threat, not only to marine life, but the island’s tourism industry.

Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler told the Sunday Sun Government was spending $1 million to purchase equipment to deal with the problem. (SAT)