Environment: the fight against sargassum algae at the heart of the priorities

On June 29 and 30, the east coast of Saint-Martin was once again impacted by the first massive strandings of sargassum seaweed. Since the end of June, other groundings have affected our coasts.

Since this date, the Collectivité has launched its new public market for the collection and disposal of sargassum seaweed, in force since July 1. The Collectivité's service providers, notified as part of this contract, are mobilized 7/7 to assume their responsibilities as quickly as possible, thus avoiding serious consequences in terms of public health and environmental impact.

If certain nuisances persist, this significant mobilization now allows us to consider that the risks are under control and that the majority of sargassum washed up on the coast has been evacuated from each of the sites, using appropriate methods.

The Collectivité of Saint-Martin would like to thank:

• Service providers for the quality of their action, their responsiveness and their involvement,
• The company VERDE SXM, which agreed to keep the ISDND site in Grandes Cayes operational beyond usual hours to allow the continuous flow of algae,
• Local residents and the Anti-Sargassum Collective, aware of the strong mobilization of the Collectivité.

The Collectivité indicates that its Executive Council has authorized the signing of a State / Collectivité agreement as part of the fight against sargassum algae.

The Collectivité of Saint-Martin wishes to request BOP 123 from the Ministry of Overseas Territories for €170,000, i.e. 100% of the financing needs necessary to secure economic activity in Cul de Sac Bay while directing flows of algae to a reduced collection point, and reduce the volumes of sargassum entering the fish pond.