MARIGOT:--- The Collectivity of Saint-Martin has issued a detailed statement addressing recent media coverage regarding the handling of sargassum seaweed along the island's northern coastline, particularly at Orient Bay Beach.
Record Volumes Challenge Collection Efforts
According to the Wednesday press release, this year has seen exceptionally large volumes of sargassum seaweed washing ashore on the northern section of Orient Bay Beach. The frequency of these strandings has significantly exceeded the authorities' capacity for collection and evacuation to the Grandes Cayes eco-site.
Access restrictions to Orient Bay Beach further complicated the situation. The Collectivity reported being unable to secure necessary permissions to use passages through private properties, citing legitimate concerns that repeated heavy truck traffic could compromise underground utility networks on these parcels.
Alternative Storage and Treatment Methods
In response to these challenges, Saint-Martin authorities identified a temporary storage site for the sargassum seaweed, positioned at a safe distance from residential areas. The treatment of these accumulated volumes is currently underway using newly established protocols.
Officials noted that successive operations involving collection, transport, handling, and rerouting have significantly increased the sand content mixed with the sargassum. To address dual concerns about coastal erosion and treatment costs calculated per ton, authorities decided to implement a controlled immersion process in nearby coastal waters to separate the sand before transferring the seaweed to the Grandes Cayes facility.
Environmental Considerations and Coordination
The Collectivity acknowledged that this immersion process contributes organic matter and creates a brown plume in the water. Following consultations with the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve, officials agreed to adjust the frequency of these operations to minimize potential impacts on nearby coastal environments.
The statement emphasized that all sargassum removal and treatment operations initiated by the Collectivity of Saint-Martin have been analyzed, coordinated, and scheduled in partnership with relevant agencies, with the territory's and residents' best interests in mind.
Ongoing Environmental Challenge
Sargassum seaweed has become an increasingly problematic issue for Caribbean islands in recent years, with massive blooms affecting tourism, fishing, and coastal ecosystems. Brown algae can produce hydrogen sulfide gas during decomposition, posing health concerns and creating unpleasant odors for coastal communities.
Saint-Martin's approach reflects the complex balance authorities must strike between efficient removal, environmental protection, and cost management when dealing with this recurring natural phenomenon.
The Collectivity of Saint-Martin continues to work with environmental partners to refine sargassum management strategies as the island faces ongoing challenges posed by these seasonal seaweed influxes.