Japan Donates Aquatic Harvester to Antigua and Barbuda to Combat Sargassum Seaweed

ST JOHN’S, Antigua –  The government of Japan has donated a state of the art aquatic plant harvester to Antigua and Barbuda, to be used to address the ongoing challenge of the proliferation of sargassum seaweed along its shores.

This piece of equipment will be operated by the Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard to enhance the nation’s efforts in managing the invasive seaweed.

According to Indira James–Henry, the General Manager of the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), the harvester is part of an extensive project that the government applied for under JICS through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Through this system, we have received several mechanisms and equipment to help with sargassum management, including dump trucks, oil fences, shovels, wheel barrows, and now the aquatic harvester,” she explained.

The new vessel will play a crucial role in the proactive fight against sargassum, allowing authorities to attack the seaweed before it reaches the shores. 

Operated by highly-skilled Coast Guard captains, the harvester will be deployed in the sea to reduce the amount of seaweed drifting toward the country’s beaches, thereby minimizing erosion and protecting the fragile shoreline ecosystems.

Beyond immediate clean-up efforts, the sargassum seaweed is also being investigated for various sustainable end-uses. Proposals include converting it into fertilizer and also shipping it to companies involved in cosmetics production, among other innovative solutions being explored.

“This equipment will drastically improve our capacity to manage sargassum,” James–Henry said. “It helps us to be more proactive, particularly as the new season approaches. We aim to lessen the impact on our beaches and ecosystems while also helping to preserve marine life along our shores.”

The harvester itself is specifically manufactured for Antigua and Barbuda, with a maximum load capacity of 7500 kilograms and a floating storage capacity of up to seven units. Its design ensures efficient operation in local waters, making it an essential tool in the country’s environmental protection efforts.

According to James–Henry this upgrade marks a critical step in Antigua and Barbuda’s mission to safeguard its beaches and marine environments from the damaging effects of sargassum influxes.