Fishermen in Dennery are grappling with the escalating effects of climate change and the persistent presence of sargassum seaweed, which have drastically affected their livelihood.
Operations Supervisor for the Dennery Fishermen’s Cooperative, Agnita Thomas, shared her concerns about the impact of sargassum seaweed with St Lucia Times. While the situation has improved somewhat, the long-term consequences are still being felt by the fishing community.
“The first seaweed started in 2011 and it has continued,” Thomas said. “However, for 2024, we have not had much fluctuation of the surplus of seaweed in our bay.”
Despite the slight improvement, the effects on local fishing techniques and equipment remain significant. The accumulation of seaweed along the shore makes it increasingly difficult to catch fish, particularly pelagic species, which are often tangled in the seaweed. As Thomas put it, sometimes “fishermen come back with absolutely nothing.”
In addition to the seaweed problem, fishers have to deal with damaged equipment. In previous years, the seaweed has clogged engine props, leading to distress calls to the Dennery Fishermen’s Cooperative, and sometimes requiring rescue operations. Thomas also noted that the sargassum buildup has altered the bay’s shoreline, making certain areas too shallow for safe boating.
While the fishing community is doing what it can to address these issues, Thomas said assistance from authorities has been limited.
Beyond the challenges posed by the seaweed, climate change is also taking its toll. Rising sea temperatures have driven fish further out to sea, forcing some boats to travel as far as 65 miles for a catch.
“Climate change for fishers is real. Now that the water is warmer, our fishers have to go further for the catch,” Thomas lamented. “Some of them reach as far as 65 miles out there…. It entails a lot of expense because going 65 miles away..sometimes you are not even sure what you’re going to come back with.”
Thomas also highlighted the decline in the sea crab population and the deterioration of coral reefs. Divers have reported seeing the reefs in a “poor state” under the water. The Department of Fisheries is currently investigating the issue and working on a programme under the Blue Economy Initiative to research these environmental challenges.
“We are trying to figure out, is it the sargassum sea or climate change?” she said.
Despite these challenges, Thomas remains optimistic about the resilience of the local fishing community.
“We just cooperate with the weather…. That’s [the fishermen’s] life and that’s what they do and that’s what they will continue doing despite the challenge,” she said.
