Barbados and the European Union are exploring new ways to detect, contain, remove and potentially make economic use of sargassum seaweed as the recurring influx continues to affect the island.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Environment, National Beautification and Fisheries Santia Bradshaw met European Union Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean States Fiona Ramsey during a courtesy call at Ilaro Court.
Their discussions included the use of technology to provide earlier warning when large quantities of sargassum are approaching Barbados.
Among the tools discussed was Copernicus, the Earth observation component of the European Union’s space programme. Officials also considered expanding the use of booms to restrict sargassum from reaching parts of the coastline and increasing the mechanisation of seaweed removal.
The discussions went beyond removing the seaweed from beaches and coastal waters. Bradshaw and Ramsey also examined the potential for stronger partnerships, investment, infrastructure and legislation to support efforts to transform collected sargassum into an economic resource.
Bradshaw expressed support for strengthening cooperation with the European Union, while Ramsey said progress had been made during her first year in office.
Barbados is also expected to participate in the fourth EU-Caribbean Global Gateway Sargassum Conference in Mexico on October 1 and 2, 2026.
The conference is being held under the theme “Shaping a Caribbean Sargassum Value Chain” and is expected to bring regional and international stakeholders together to examine responses to the recurring seaweed influx.
Barbados and other Caribbean states have faced repeated sargassum arrivals affecting coastal areas, and the latest discussions are focused both on limiting its impact and exploring ways the material could be put to productive use.
