Sargassum seaweed blamed for fish die off in Oyster Pond.

A significant fish die off which is occurring in the Oyster Pond wet land area has been getting the attention of the Nature Foundation. The enduring smell is like a plague for residents in that area as well. There has been a drop in oxygen level that is caused by the heavy deposit of the sargassum weed that is responsible for the die off of some 15 different species of fish and even lobster.

The sargassum is entering Oyster Pond through the inlet at Dawn Bach and has been settling and decomposing in the area. Residents has been complaining about the smell released by the decomposing sargassum seaweed. The present invasion affecting the wider Caribbean is the worst it has been since it began on a large scale in 2011. Although there is no general consensus on the cause of the increase affecting the Caribbean, it is generally believed to be caused by climate change and increase nutrients entering the ocean both of  which are human influences.

The Nature foundation says they have been exploring options to have the seaweed removed and have it turned into a profitable industry on the Island, however there has to be an investment from both the public and private sectors in combating the invasion. We must realize this event is related to climate change and we are at the forefront of a climate induced issue just like the 2017 Hurricane Season. More updates have been coming in on the status of the invasion and the bad news is that we are not out of the woods yet. More sargassum seaweed is forecast to come our way.

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