A Task Force has been established to coordinate sargassum management in T&T.

The Planning Ministry says since 2011, coastlines along many Caribbean islands have been affected by unprecedented, massive, episodic influxes of floating sargassum seaweed.

This had significant negative impacts, particularly on coastal communities and livelihoods, public health, tourism and fisheries.

Planning Minister Pennelope Beckles says in order to deal with this problem, Cabinet agreed to measures that explore the development of sustainable management responses and long-term adaptation initiatives.

One such initiative is the regional Japanese grant funded project, Improving National Sargassum Management Capacities in the Caribbean, which is being implemented in Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, St.Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and T&T.

Of the regional envelope of US $12 million allocated for the project, T&T has been awarded US $1.99 million.

The Task Force will be chaired by Dr. Rahanna Juman, Deputy Director of Research at the Institute of Marine Affairs.

The other members are: Marcia Tinto of the EMA; Mr. Ricardo Mieux, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; Ms. Renelle Bernard Brown, Ministry of OWrks and Transport; Ms. Curmira Gulston, Ministry of National Security; Mr. Linford Beckles, Tobago House of Assembly (THA); Ms. Suzan Lakhan-Baptiste, Nature Seekers; Dr. Ryan Mohammed, Aquatic Ecologist; Mr. Barry Lovelace, Council of Presidents of the Environment.

The members of the Task Force today received their instruments of appointment from Minister Beckles.

The Task Force will provide oversight over the development of a research and monitoring agenda that can facilitate improvement in managing the impacts of future occurrences of this natural disaster while informing the handling, disposal, storage, and development of safe Sargassum products, which can also provide economic benefits to Trinidad and Tobago.