MARIGOT--A delegation from the French-side Chamber of Commerce will fly to Paris at the end of the week to seek compensatory measures from Government for beach-side businesses negatively impacted by Sargassum weed.
It will be armed with as much testimony on economic impact as it can gather from the questionnaires distributed to the businesses concerned which are mainly water sport or restaurant operations.
Despite the creation of a green brigade of 20 workers who started work October 1 to rid the beaches of Sargassum, the unrelenting nature of the invasion has left businesses concerned with little hope of salvaging a decent tourist season business-wise.
A second meeting on Saturday organised by the Chamber of Commerce and marine trades association Métimer with a dozen of the affected business owners delved deeper into the problem while exploring solutions to the crisis. The operators described their respective situations and discussed what needed to be done from their point of view. Their input was noted down to be used as further ammunition when the delegation goes to Paris.
Listening to the grievances were Préfète Anne Laubies, Chamber President Jean Arnell, Chamber Director Maguy Gumbs and Métimer President Bulent Gulay.
In general the businesses reported reduction of employees by a quarter, reduction of sales by 30 per cent (related to less clientele), and having additional expenditures for beach cleaning of approximately 3,000 euros per month per business (more than 50 affected).
Préfète Laubies assured the gathering that the Sargassum phenomenon in St. Martin does not constitute a public health crisis according to data from the regional health authority ARS which is monitoring hydrogen sulphide levels on a daily basis from the dried weed. Levels are still in the normal range and there is no cause for concern, she said.
Phil Kin from the Koakai Surf Shop praised the initiative in creating the green brigade but said it was more important to get to the source of the problem, rather than treating the symptoms. He pointed out that a French national windsurfing magazine “Wind” had written an extensive article about Sargassum in the Caribbean, noting the article’s impact will no doubt kill tourism.
Pat Turner, proprietor of Tropical Wave at Le Galion said: “When tourists see the weed they turn around and go away so the Dutch-side beaches are benefitting at the moment. With all the social charges and the turnover tax (TGCA), etc. to pay without having tourists is stressing businesses to the point of collapse. You can’t make money and you can’t give money to the government. Apart from the Sargassum we need to find a solution for businesses that are paying into the system and over-stressed because of it. I still have to pay my employees because they are on contracts.”
There was a suggestion from Marvern Challenger proposing his project to purchase a special machine widely used in the USA and the Middle East that is adapted to pick up weed and other debris but leaves the sand intact. The cost of the machine is reportedly $65,000.
At the end of the meeting, Jean Arnell indicated evaluation of the economic impact from the phenomenon has to be determined first in terms of reduction in number of persons that visited the businesses and the reduction in income and this information will be provided to an inter-ministerial commission that is looking at the economic and health impact.
“The action plan of solutions from now on is fivefold,” he added. “Firstly the green brigade has to continue its work, secondly we have to expand the mission of the green brigade or another organisation to purchase a machine that cleans the beach and picks up weed in the water as well.
“Thirdly we need to look at the costs of the businesses and see if we can reduce taxes and eventually social charges on payroll. The fourth point is to study the levelling of sand on the beaches to push Sargassum away from the shore. The fifth point is to use social media to counter any negative information that might be out there.”
Arnell said the machine discussed could be financed from public and private funds.
“The issue is not so much the machine; the issue is finding an organisation that will provide cleaning of the beaches in a cost effective way, on the beach and in the water, because it’s the water sports that are affected too. The Préfète has said the State is willing to co-fund it, probably through défiscalisation funds.”
Completed questionnaires are to be given to the Chamber of Commerce before Thursday, October 22.
