Local News
Sargassum Seaweed Raises Concerns in the Virgin Islands; Government Takes Steps to Mitigate Impact
The presence of sargassum seaweed has once again become a cause for concern among members of the Virgin Islands community, particularly those involved in the tourism industry, fishing, and regular beachgoers.
Mervin Hastings, Acting Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, stated that the Government of the Virgin Islands is actively working to mitigate the sargassum issue. This includes organizing clean-up initiatives, conducting trainings and workshops with stakeholders, and raising public awareness about the problem.
Hastings emphasized that the topic of sargassum is not only a local or regional concern but also a global issue that costs governments millions of dollars to address. He stressed the importance of educating the community and collaborating with regional and international counterparts to find a solution.
Marine Biologist and Environmental Officer II, Argel Horton, explained that the sargassum affecting the territory originates from the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt. This belt stretches across 500 miles between Africa and South America. Horton noted that sargassum multiplies rapidly in warm waters, and with the ongoing heat impacting the region, the blooms will continue to affect the territory.
According to satellite tracking, the influx of sargassum will persist, although the volume is expected to be moderate until October 2023. Horton acknowledged that sargassum poses a challenge for the local government but expressed optimism that creative solutions can be found.
Horton highlighted that other Caribbean countries have successfully utilized sargassum to produce various products, such as fertilizers, beauty products, and biofuel. She expressed confidence in the ability of the people to brainstorm and transform sargassum into a valuable commodity.
Earlier this year, representatives from multiple organizations, including the BVI Tourist Board, National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands, Unite BVI, and BVI Ports Authority, participated in a two-day training workshop on sargassum management. The workshop, facilitated by the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change in collaboration with the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) and the University of the West Indies Centre for Resources Management and Environmental Studies (UWI-CERMES), aimed to enhance understanding of sargassum’s science, origins, ecological value, adaptive management principles, monitoring techniques, and clean-up and rehabilitation approaches.
The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change is committed to promoting sound stewardship of natural resources by implementing a robust legal framework that encourages environmentally friendly best management practices.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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