Sargassum is biomass and not a weed. Nature gives you this biomass at no cost, and it is delivered to your doorstep for free. “Nice, but what am I going to do with this freaking stinking mess?” Ding dong, mass, not mess.
You don’t have to dig, drill or pump to get it. It is there for the taking. When you get a freebie and you make something out of it, you’ll make a 100% turnover. That may sound naïve, but it is not stupid. Actually, some get paid for removing this giveaway, but then what to do with it?
Making something out of it means work which has a price. Work also means employment, which benefits members of a community. Making something may also mean equipment. But depending on the productivity of the equipment, costs will go down and profits may increase. If the equipment is any kind of machinery investment, it means depreciation, spreading the investment cost over an extended period and again, costs go down and profit numbers may improve.
The key is to think, improvise and come up with ideas. Have a positive attitude. Take an inventory of what you have. Figure out what might be the best potential for it. Look what you have on hand. Set your own expectations and those of who you are offering your product to at an appropriate level. This “slapped together” will set the right tone. You will be pleased with the result. Your mother or your better half has to deal with this dilemma daily in the kitchen when making dinner. Maybe female leadership comes to mind. And just to get things straight, I’m not suggesting cooked sargassum as the meal of the day.
“I’ve got plenty of nothing. So, what am I supposed to do?” Nothing may be plenty for you if you put a thinking cap on. Mindset is everything when it comes to building your wealth. Some of the wealthiest people in the world have built seven- or eight-figure fortunes from essentially nothing, without high-powered academic degrees or inherited wealth. Some of them started out with a negative net worth and became worth millions.
It will begin with a plan. It may take more than one person to do the planning and even the implementation of it. Ever heard the words “I love when a plan comes together?” Maybe put your own A-Team together, a squad of diverse, bright and motivated friends, family members, or local talents and make it iconic. Don’t think overly ego-centric of creating a monopoly. Unless, well, ….. ‘Union Fait La Force’ (Unity is strength) is the national motto of my country of origin. Do some brainstorming.
It will be quite a challenge to put numbers on paper for a business forecast, because there are no historical data to draw from for detailing how the activity expects metrics like revenue, expenses, profit, and cash flow to change over time. But, then think again about the above-mentioned millionaires who didn’t have a ‘no-can-do’ attitude but rather a ‘yes-we-can’ boldness.
So what can we do with sargassum? Do some research online. There are several examples of how it is used. You may be inspired to create an idea of your own once you find out what the sargassum has hidden inside. Some areas where it is already used: Construction building blocks/bricks, sustainable agriculture and fertilizer, aquaculture and animal feed, Bioplastics and sustainable packaging, Biofuel production, Cosmetics and skincare, Pharmaceutical and medical applications, Environmental remediation. Maybe a local brainy mind will come up with a new innovative idea, like creating a piece of art from it. ‘Artis Natura Magistra’ - Nature is the teacher of art.
If nothing else, let it be known that a company in the Dominican Republic is using six 40-foot containers to ship it to Finland for cosmetic production. A bio refinery processes it into high value ingredients like alginate and fucoidan. If you absolutely want to know, alginates are a type of carbohydrate that can form a barrier to prevent stomach acids. Fucoidan is known for its potential health benefits, including anticancer properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and possible support for those with osteoarthritis and viral infections. Forget it, just notice the words high-value ingredients that many don’t expect from the stinky stuff on the beach. The biomass has been shipped to ten other countries, some of which are converting 50% of the sargassum into bioplastics. Yet, how much sense does it make to be sending this seaweed, which weighs a lot, across the world to then process it, when a business or industry could be developed locally and create more jobs?
The fact is, that there is increasing commercial and research interest in developing ways to put the abundant and seemingly sustainable resource to use as the annual sargassum inundation has become a ‘new normal’ with increasing proportions. It is an art to transform an environmental nuisance into value chains. Does the popular saying ‘lead, follow or get out of the way’ mean anything in this context?
Cdr. Bud Slabbaert
Dear Editor,
As you would have noticed by now, I usually react to leaders in government. That is because they always promise to fix things for the people. So when they do not comply I react.
For years the term “over qualified” was the term used by people in government to students who graduated and returned from Holland or the USA with their degrees in order to be employed. Over the years too many young Sint Maarteners found themselves going back to the exteria to look for work. But what I know is that during that same period of years, Sint Maarten found work for thousands of non-Sint Maarteners. Yes, work was found in all fields for them. So I am asking myself: Which is it. Is it that government for ulterior motives is not mindful that the Sint Maarteners are paid the rightful salaries because others accept what they can get, or are the Sint Maarteners really over-qualified?
Now again, years after, our Minister of Education is advising our students with other words not to come back home. Is this telling me that we only have overqualified and under-qualified Sint Maarteners? Is it telling me that Sint Maarten can train others but that Sint Maarten can't train it's own?
Now this. We have had so many political elections that I cannot remember exactly which one, but it was during a political election campaign. I thought that it was against the dust, but I was told that several of those gentleman cleaning the streets covered their face to avoid people recognizing them as street cleaners. Knowing that politicians make use of pressing opportunities to get votes and at the same time it would help those guys cleaning the streets, I approached a politician on a political list and asked him, “Where are those street cleaners from?” He told that the majority of them are Sint Maarteners. So I explained to him that I had a suggestion which could kill two birds with one stone.
I asked him about his relationship with the Minister of Justice. That was great. So then I told him what was told to me about the reason the street cleaners cover their face, and if he, with cooperation from the Minister of Education could encourage those streetcleaners to get their G.E.D. diploma this would would be the begining to possibly higher education, that could bring him some votes. Regulate the easiest way for them to finance it.
I do not know why it did not come to fruition, but I believe by now the history of who were and how people were and still being employed should tell us that things have to change to benefit the native first. I will never state natives alone, but I do not believe that anyone would criticize my point of view.
Russell A Simmons
Dear Editor,
I’m responding to Mr. Russell A. Simmons’ article that appeared in this newspaper on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Mr. Simmons, you’ve acknowledged that you agree with my choice to recommend Member of Parliament Dimar Labega to assist the youth with their struggles, regarding crime. You also emphasized that you would approach the matter differently, because of the many reasons why they go astray.
I concur that there are several factors that led the youth to commit these crimes. I do not have all the answers, and since you were a part of law enforcement, you would have a broader view, with regard to the crime situation. However, some situations are plain to see, while others are based on logic, and some are well-hidden, until an in-depth study or interrogation is being conducted. This is when the unexpected is being revealed to point where the interrogator becomes dumbfounded.
Since I’m not a part of law enforcement, I can only expound on what I know. I believe it was in the ’90s when I went into Philipsburg and saw this leaflet that states, “Children learn what they live.” The topic caught my attention and so I picked up the flyer and kept it. Later on when I read the content, I pondered on it for a while, and then I matched it with my childhood – the foundation that impacts our adult life.
When I look back at my childhood, and how it has influenced my decisions as an adult, there is nothing in this world that I would trade for those precious years. So yes, there are many reasons why the youth go astray. But that is one side of the coin, which is the pull factor. The other side consists of whatever was poured into their lives between the ages of zero to about 8 years old – that’s the anchor factor – ingredients that stabilize their thinking and decisions.
Not to labour the issue, I will highlight just one aspect of it, which is the environment – the domain that encompasses every other element there is. Case in point: Let’s focus on the home environment for just a wee bit. Remember, “Children learn what they live.” When children see their father beat their mother sick, and she still has to go to work with make-up, just to cover up the bruises, what message is that father sending to those children?
Let’s take the political environment. When the youth see politicians enter politics and in a few years, all of them build mansions and the youngsters remain poor and hungry, how do we expect them to react? Let’s look at the professional environment. When youngsters cannot get meaningful jobs in their country, based on whatever the reasons are, don’t you think that they would band together and oppose the system, just to sustain themselves?
So, who or what is to be blamed for this constant ruckus that is eating away at the core of this nation, Mr. Simmons? The majority of fathers have neglected or disrespected their children, but they expect them to go to school and go out in the community and respect authority. It will not work. When government allows employers to disregard the laws of the land and investors control the government, do you expect the youth to have respect for authority? No! “Children learn what they live.”
Mr. Simmons, I can go on and very deep. But do you realize that the environment that was created and tolerated has cultivated generations of youth with not even a drop of empathy? Who is responsible, Mr. Simmons, now that the chickens have come home to roost?
On your second point: Just for you to have a better understanding of my choice to select MP Labega as a peace-maker for these youngsters, I must notify you that I do not know the MP. The first time that I saw him was when he entered parliament after the elections of August 19, 2024.
My perception of MP Labega is shaped by the way he conducts himself in parliament. His demeanor is always in sync with his responses. Even though he does not speak a lot, his words are well-measured, and instead of grandstanding when there is a heated disagreement, he brings balance to the discussion. And, as I mentioned in a previous article, he pays attention to the deliberations – he is present in body, mind and soul.
These aspects of his character indicate that he is attentive to the needs of others and that he assesses and seeks solutions to the problem. So, for me, MP Dimar Labega would be the appropriate candidate to initiate this long-awaited support – one that is authentic, because he was once a participant, who tested the boundaries of the judiciary system, and has redeemed himself to become an upstanding citizen.
What these youngsters need is a listening ear – one that is genuine – someone who would dialogue with them to understand their needs and seek the solutions to those challenges. Mr. Simmons, I have my prayer group in place and so we will pray for that chain reaction.
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
I am contented that I reacted to Joslyn's last letter to you, because it afforded her the opportunity to respond and say much more of which I again agree with. So I would wish that more people would take time to read her letters to you.
I usually mention that I stand corrected and that is because I am aware that I am not well versed in everything, neither am I a member of every household. What I do know is that for 41 years I have been more indept in the affairs of the majority of the people on Sint Maarten. This I believe afforded me the opportunity to be able to know what makes the people tick. I believe that Joslyn also is someone who observes what happens around her and feels that with her experience she can make her contribution by openly voicing her opinion in a positive manner.
Not everybody's letter to you will be well received by your readers. However, that should be considered a learning process.
Children learn what they live. I usually say it different but that is what it is. So my question is, when more and more we see grown women of all statures walking the streets in and out of stores and shops very scantlly clad and or openly exposing themselves at public dancing places, what should we expect for the future of our country? Already I am expecting reactions like “Tell that to the carnaval committee.” To that I say the carnaval committee does not decide what costume to wear.
Now this. I know that we’ve had several political elections in the last years so I am not sure which one it is but what I know is that on several occasions I have spoken to people in government concerning that bridge over the Rolandus kanaal and I also suggested for them to broaden it because if there is a motorvehicle on the bridge it has to give right of way to the traffic on the Suckergarden road. But if the traffic on the Suckergarden road wants to go over the bridge drivers have to decide among themselves who to let go first. This causes unnecesary delay. Again I say that that bridge is too narrow.
In closing let me state this. When I worked I never looked for praíses because being and getting involved was my job. My parents taught me not to expect more than a “thank you” when I thought that I did well. But I expect the community to reward the leader in government who does well and accomplished what he or she promised.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
On reading Joslyn’s letter referring to MP [Member of Parliament – Ed.] Labega it reminded me of what my mother used to say to us when we were growing up. You’re not a thief until they catch you. My father would tell her, “You are giving those children mixed messages.” I know that Ms. Morton is sincere in her writing, but with my experience in dealing with the community I would have gone about it differently. I definitely would make use of MP Labega because of his transformation, but owing to the fact that there are so many different reasons why youngsters are led astray I believe that we have to be careful not to send the wrong messages.
My mother used to tell us, “Not everybody is born with the same luck.” Along with that I would add that I would not want the youngsters to be under the impression that there is always a job available for them later on in life. So again I have to congratulate Ms. Morton for her extra effort to help enlighten the youth and hopefully this forms a chain reaction.
Russell A. Simmons
