{"id":13087,"date":"2025-04-28T18:36:34","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T22:36:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/?p=13087"},"modified":"2025-04-28T18:36:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T22:36:34","slug":"grenada-accelerates-bold-action-on-sargassum-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/28\/grenada-accelerates-bold-action-on-sargassum-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Grenada Accelerates Bold Action On Sargassum Management"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment, and\u00a0 Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Affairs jointly reaffirm the\u00a0 Government of Grenada\u2019s unwavering commitment to tackling the ongoing Sargassum influx with\u00a0 bold, coordinated, and innovative action. As the seaweed crisis continues to challenge coastal\u00a0 communities and vital economic sectors, Grenada is advancing a forward-looking strategy that is\u00a0 setting the bar for regional leadership.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking during a national town hall meeting on Wednesday 23rd, Honourable Kerryne James,\u00a0 Minister for Climate Resilience, the Environment, and Renewable Energy, underscored the gravity\u00a0 of the issue:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe seriousness of the Sargassum threat, which continues to impact Grenada\u2019s coastal ecosystems,\u00a0 fisheries, tourism, and community livelihoods, cannot be ignored. Sargassum is not just seaweed\u00a0 washing ashore. It is a persistent threat to our way of life \u2014 and we are taking bold, coordinated\u00a0 action to address it.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Grenada has firmly established itself as a regional leader in Sargassum response. A standout moment\u00a0 came when the country proudly hosted the 2nd Caribbean-EU Global Gateway Conference on\u00a0 Sargassum from October 1 to 2, 2024. The landmark event brought together regional governments,\u00a0 scientists, entrepreneurs, and development partners to accelerate innovation, strengthen\u00a0 collaboration, and unlock sustainable investment opportunities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Building on that momentum, Grenada, in partnership with the European Union, convened the\u00a0 inaugural Grenada-EU Task Force on Sargassum Valorisation in December 2024. From that session\u00a0 emerged an ambitious national commitment: to process 10,000 tonnes of Sargassum by 2026\u2014a\u00a0 pledge made by Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell as part of Grenada\u2019s vision for a green-blue\u00a0 economy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a strong show of private sector engagement, a national Expression of Interest (EOI) launched in\u00a0 early 2025 attracted 31 innovative proposals. Of these, 13 companies have been shortlisted and are\u00a0 now undergoing detailed technical and financial evaluation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Grenada is not just planning\u2014it is acting. In February, the Grenada Solid Waste Management\u00a0 Authority (GSWMA) activated its 2025 Sargassum Operational Response Plan, with tangible results\u00a0 already visible:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2726\u00a0<\/span>32 temporary workers were deployed in high-impact areas like Marquis and Soubise to\u00a0 support shoreline cleanup.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2726\u00a0<\/span>Collected material transported to Telescope for safe storage and potential reuse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2726\u00a0<\/span>Cleanup operations expanded to west coast beaches in collaboration with the Grenada\u00a0 Tourism Authority from April 23.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2726\u00a0<\/span>Deployment of Coast Guard Yamaha vessels equipped with floating barriers and trawl nets\u00a0 to capture Sargassum at sea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2726\u00a0<\/span>Strategic landings at Grand Mal and Gouyave Jetties, with transfer to Perseverance Landfill\u00a0 for assessment and safe disposal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These interventions are protecting key tourism zones, easing the burden on coastal infrastructure, and\u00a0 building breathing room for longer-term valorisation strategies to take root.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Recent meteorological data indicate that the Sargassum surge on the West Coast coincided with a\u00a0 shift in wind patterns. Forecasts for April 24, 2025, predicted sustained easterly trade winds of about\u00a0 5\u201310 knots over Grenada\u2019s waters, and Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology\u00a0 observations on that date recorded southeasterly winds near 19 km\/h. This change from the usual\u00a0 northeasterly trades would naturally drive floating Sargassum toward Grenada\u2019s sheltered west coast,\u00a0 explaining the sudden influx in those areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Grenada\u2019s capacity to deliver on these ambitious goals has been further strengthened by the arrival\u00a0 of a Sargassum Valorisation Specialist, deployed through EU support. This expert is working directly\u00a0 with local teams on advanced technical planning, scalable project development, and institutional\u00a0 capacity building. This deployment represents a significant step in ensuring Grenada\u2019s response is\u00a0 grounded in science, efficiency, and long-term sustainability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Minister James emphasised that Grenada is not merely reacting to environmental challenges\u2014it is\u00a0 reshaping the regional narrative around Sargassum:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>We are turning this challenge into a national development opportunity \u2014 creating jobs, supporting\u00a0 innovation, and building resilience.\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Ambassador Jerry Enoe, Special Envoy for Oceans, highlighted Grenada\u2019s proactive leadership,\u00a0 stating:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Grenada is leading by example in confronting ocean challenges. We are not only protecting our\u00a0 coasts but also unlocking new opportunities for jobs, investment and environmental innovation\u00a0 across the region<\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

With strengthened partnerships, a clear roadmap, and growing global attention, Grenada is building\u00a0 a model of integrated Sargassum management\u2014one that can inspire replication across the Caribbean\u00a0 and beyond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Ministry urges all citizens, stakeholders, and partners to stay engaged as Grenada continues to\u00a0 transform this environmental challenge into a catalyst for innovation and sustainable growth. The\u00a0 Government of Grenada remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting our people, coasts, and\u00a0 marine ecosystems\u2014laying the foundation for a resilient, climate-smart future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment, and\u00a0 Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Affairs jointly reaffirm the\u00a0 Government of Grenada\u2019s unwavering commitment to tackling the ongoing Sargassum influx with\u00a0 bold, […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13088,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2,39],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-13087","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-government-news","8":"category-local-news"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?fit=1068%2C801&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?fit=1068%2C801&ssl=1",1068,801,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg",1068,801,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg",1068,801,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1",300,225,true],"large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1",1024,768,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?fit=1068%2C801&ssl=1",1068,801,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?fit=1068%2C801&ssl=1",1068,801,true],"mh-magazine-slider":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?resize=1030%2C438&ssl=1",1030,438,true],"mh-magazine-content":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?resize=678%2C381&ssl=1",678,381,true],"mh-magazine-large":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?resize=678%2C509&ssl=1",678,509,true],"mh-magazine-medium":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?resize=326%2C245&ssl=1",326,245,true],"mh-magazine-small":["https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/drealfmgrenada.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SARGASSUM-GND-1068x801-1.jpg?resize=80%2C60&ssl=1",80,60,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"adminrfm","author_link":"https:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/index.php\/author\/adminrfm\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"Government News<\/a> Local News<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"The Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment, and\u00a0 Renewable Energy and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Affairs jointly reaffirm the\u00a0 Government of Grenada\u2019s unwavering commitment to tackling the ongoing Sargassum influx with\u00a0 bold, 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