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Fish die-off in Oyster Pond.
OYSTER POND--A significant fish die-off has occurred in Oyster Pond due to the sargassum seaweed invasion.
Nature Foundation has reported that the decomposing seaweed in the Oyster Pond wetland has dropped the oxygen levels in the water, resulting in numerous organisms dying. The foundation urges the community not to consume the dead fish.
“Up to now we have recorded about 15 species of fish as well as lobster being affected significantly,” said Nature Foundation Manager Tadzio Bervoets.
Sargassum enters Oyster Pond through the inlet at Dawn Beach and has settled and decomposed in the area. Residents have also complained about the smell released by the decomposing seaweed.
The foundation is exploring options to have the seaweed removed and have it turned into a profitable industry. An investment from both the public and private sectors will be needed to combat the invasion.
“We should also realise that this event is related to climate change and again we are at the forefront of a climate-induced issue, just like the 2017 hurricane season. We are constantly receiving updates on the status of the invasion and unfortunately there is quite a bit more sargassum on its way,” said Bervoets.
The present sargassum invasion affecting the wider Caribbean is one of the worst since the large-scale invasion began in 2011. Although, there is no general consensus on the cause of the increased sargassum affecting the Caribbean, it is generally believed to be caused by climate change and increased nutrients being introduced into the ocean, both of which are human influences.
