French Ministry pumps another 2M euros into Sargassum battle

PARIS--Conscious of the potentially disastrous consequences to the tourism-dependent islands of the French Antilles if not confronted head-on, the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy announced Friday it has injected an extra two million euros into the fight against the Sargassum weed invasion in the French Caribbean.

The Ministry described the development in a release as “an acceleration and reinforcement of the inter-ministerial plan against the Sargassum weed.” The phenomenon peaked in the summer of 2014 but has continued unabated since.

The additional funds are on top of the six million euros mobilised for the overseas territories since the start of the crisis to finance collection of Sargassum weed, give financial aid to Communes and Collectivités, and create the “green brigades” charged with the collection of the weed.

The Ministry also made available 2.3 million euros to Agence de L’Environment et de la Maitrise de L’Energie ADEME to set up a recycling project for the algae.

The funding comes with new instructions to health authorities to ensure prevention measures are understood by the population, particularly those persons who are involved with the collecting and storing of the weed.

This is due to the health risks, particularly of a respiratory nature, from the emission of Hydrogen Sulphide fumes from the weed if it is not removed quickly enough and allowed to decompose.

The Health Ministry concluded in 2012 that the most effective prevention against the effects of decomposition of Sargassum weed was regular, scheduled pick-up and appropriate storage.

It was also announced a high level inter-ministerial mission will visit the French Antilles in September 2015 and thereafter to make operational recommendations, organise collection, storage and treatment of the algae for a long term response to the phenomenon.

In addition a research unit to improve knowledge under the authority of the Ministry of Ecology has been installed for the long term management of Sargassum. This commission will identify the origins and causes of the invasion in addition to implementing action plans.

Finally the Ministry proposes to organise an international conference to bring together the Caribbean islands affected by Sargassum weed to share knowledge and experiences as well as propose coordinated actions.

The Ministry concluded the decision to make extra aid available, illustrated the national solidarity in helping overseas territories overcome the crisis, and provided “a strong and concrete response to the expectations of our fellow citizens.”

The Daily Herald

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