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Sargussum seaweed on a beach last year. (FP)

The presence of the Sargassum seaweed on beaches across Barbados is nowhere close to the levels reported when it was first spotted last year.

An influx of the seaweed at River Bay, St. Lucy, and at Bath Beach in St. John, is being kept under control through daily beach maintenance by staff of the National Conservation Commission (NCC).

Special Projects Officer at the NCC, Ricardo Marshall, said there were instances when the Commission had to collaborate with the Drainage Division to clean deposits of the weed at River Bay, especially in "hard to reach areas".

He has, however, assured that "the situation is basically under control. The return of the seaweed is not at a stage to merit a national response at this time as it did last year".

He added that in the event that levels increased, the NCC would deploy additional resources to clean the affected areas.

"Our mandate is to maintain the beaches. It is something we constantly monitor," he said.

Since its return, the Sargassum seaweed was spotted on beaches along the East Coast, St. Andrew; Oistins, Dover, Hastings Rocks and Rockley Beach in Christ Church; the Drill Hall and Pebbles Beach, St. Michael; Bath Beach, St. John; and River Bay, St. Lucy.

julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb

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