Saint Lucia, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development, has taken a significant step toward protecting its coastal communities, revitalizing key economic sectors, and strengthening national climate resilience with the official unveiling of specialized sargassum management equipment.
The donation, made possible through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Government of Japan, marks a major advancement in the nation’s efforts to manage and mitigate the impacts of sargassum along the coastline.
For more than a decade, sargassum influxes have increasingly affected Saint Lucia’s coastline, impacting fisheries, tourism, public health, and the livelihoods of thousands of citizens who depend on the sea. What was once an occasional environmental event evolved into a persistent seasonal challenge, placing added pressure on coastal communities from Praslin to Vieux Fort.
The new equipment, which includes tractors and specialized beach-cleaning attachments, will significantly enhance Saint Lucia’s ability to respond swiftly, efficiently, and responsibly to sargassum accumulation. This marks the first phase of equipment under the, National Sargassum Management Capacities in the Caribbean project, designed to help Caribbean states strengthen their preparedness, response, and long-term resilience.
Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer Thomas Nelson emphasized the importance of strong, coordinated action to safeguard communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on the ocean. “I wish to reassure the Saint Lucian public of our commitment to the effective and efficient management of sargassum on our beaches. Recognizing the need for a coordinated and sustained response, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with the generous support of the Government of Japan, launched the US $20 million Regional Sargassum Management Project. This initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of countries within our region to better manage and reduce the impact of sargassum,” he added.
This initiative represents the beginning of a broader strategy. Over the coming months, Saint Lucia is expected to receive additional tools, including deflection booms, a dump truck for sargassum transport, and a cleanup vessel to remove sargassum at sea. These investments will help fortify Saint Lucia’s comprehensive response framework while fostering better coordination across Government agencies.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, Bradley St. Ange, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding coastal livelihoods and ensuring timely, consistent beach management across the island. “We may not be able to stop the sargassum from reaching our shores. However, with these tractors now on hand, Saint Lucia is in a much better position to manage its impact in a timely manner through periodic cleanups. Let us celebrate the progress we have made today,” explained, Permanent Secretary St Ange.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, Hon. Alfred Prospere, acknowledged the long-awaited importance of this investment to both the fishing and tourism sectors, noting the economic strain that unmanaged sargassum has placed on communities and businesses.
“I am very happy today because this has been a long time coming. Since joining the Ministry, I have consistently heard that equipment would be provided to help the Government of Saint Lucia address the sargassum problem on our beaches. This issue has significant implications for tourism. When you drive to Vieux Fort and stop by the airport runway, you can see firsthand how the nearby hotel spends thousands of dollars each week to keep the beach clean so visitors can enjoy our shores. For residents in coastal communities such as Dennery, Praslin and Micoud, the stench they face daily is also a serious concern. I want to thank JICA for their vision and the valuable assistance they have provided,” noted Minister Prospere.
Beyond its immediate benefits to beach management, the initiative reflects the Government’s deeper commitment to collaboration, resilience, and environmental stewardship. The Ministry also reaffirmed its gratitude to the UNDP and the Government of Japan for their continued investment in strengthening Saint Lucia’s coastal resilience and improving the well-being of vulnerable coastal communities.