St. Barths is not immune to the sargassum problem plaguing the Caribbean region. In response, the local government has taken a proactive approach by creating a dedicated committee to combat sargassum. This committee works on several fronts, including monitoring sargassum influxes, investing in cleanup efforts, and participating in research and prevention initiatives. As part of these efforts, the government has invested nearly 1.6 million euros to remove approximately 12,000 tons of sargassum from its shores in 2022. In this section, we will take a closer look at the local initiatives undertaken by St. Barths to combat sargassum and protect its environment and tourism industry.

St. Barths is not immune to the sargassum problem plaguing the Caribbean region. In response, the local government has taken a proactive approach by creating a dedicated committee to combat sargassum. This committee works on several fronts, including monitoring sargassum influxes, investing in cleanup efforts, and participating in research and prevention initiatives. As part of these efforts, the government has invested nearly 1.6 million euros to remove approximately 12,000 tons of sargassum from its shores in 2022. In this section, we will take a closer look at the local initiatives undertaken by St. Barths to combat sargassum and protect its environment and tourism industry.

Local Efforts

St. Barths has taken a proactive approach to combat sargassum, creating a dedicated committee for this purpose. This committee works on several fronts, including monitoring sargassum influxes, investing in cleanup efforts, and participating in research and prevention initiatives. Some of the specific actions taken include:

• Daily removal of sargassum on affected beaches, particularly in areas like Anse des Cayes and Marigot.
• Monitoring sargassum influxes and working to predict its movements, with the participation in the Sargassum Early Warning System (SEWS).
• Investing in cleanup efforts to remove sargassum from affected areas, with an investment of nearly €1.6 million in 2022 to remove around 12,000 tonnes of sargassum that washed up on the shores.
• Participating in research and prevention initiatives, such as the creation of a dedicated committee to fight sargassum, which has allowed local authorities to participate in the national steering committee (Copil) against sargassum. The third vice-president of the Collectivité, Marie-Angèle Aubin, participated in the meeting held on February 1, 2023, via video conference from St. Barths.
• The national plan against sargassum adopted for the period 2022-2025 will be implemented by local authorities. The plan includes 26 measures aimed at increasing knowledge about sargassum to better prevent its invasion, with a budget of €36 million devoted to these missions. More than 50 people from sectors such as health, fisheries, and security were present at the Copil meeting to discuss the means being implemented to combat sargassum in the Caribbean.

Regional Efforts

In addition to local efforts, St. Barths is also cooperating with regional organizations to address sargassum influxes. The island is coordinating with other Caribbean islands and participating in the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) to develop strategies to address this issue. Additionally, St. Barths is participating in the Sargassum Early Warning System (SEWS) to monitor and predict sargassum movements.

National Efforts

As an overseas territory of France, St. Barths is also collaborating with national organizations to address the sargassum problem. The island is participating in the Interreg Sargasses project, which aims to develop new strategies for sargassum management in the Caribbean. Additionally, St. Barths is implementing the National Sargassum Management Plan (Plan Sargasses II), which includes measures to mitigate sargassum influxes and improve the response to sargassum events. The plan was developed by the French government and will be implemented in all French territories in the Caribbean.

Conclusion

St. Barths’ initiatives against sargassum are an example of the proactive approach taken by local authorities to address this environmental issue. The island’s dedicated committee for combating sargassum, daily removal of sargassum on affected beaches, monitoring of sargassum influxes, investment in cleanup efforts, and participation in research and prevention initiatives are all critical actions being taken. St. Barths’ cooperation with regional and national organizations highlights the importance of local, regional, and national efforts and cooperation in addressing this environmental issue. These efforts are essential to preserve the island’s tourism industry and protect its unique environment for future generations.