THE ANNUAL INVASION of our beaches by Sargassum seaweed, a problem that appears to be escalating, cannot be blamed on the Freundel Stuart Administration.

At least on that we are sure all Barbadians will agree.

Another point Barbadians should be able to agree on with some ease is that this inundation of some of our most popular beaches is not good for tourism especially at a time when that industry appears to be the one area of promise in an economy that is not performing anywhere near its optimum.

And it is here that we have a challenge with our national leadership. We have searched our archives for at least one statement from our Minister of the Environment Dr Denis Lowe that suggested he and his officers believe they have any duty or responsibility to respond to this problem.

There is no public discussion, no mobilisation of state resources, no concerted effort to bring the tourism community together to act, nothing to say there is a rallying cry for civic organisations and community groups to join in a clean-up exercise. It is as though we have accepted that it is an act of God and the Father will remove it when He is good and ready.

When the Sargassum seaweed first became an issue a few years ago, the National Conservation Commission (NCC), which falls under the ambit of Minister Lowes ministry, had significantly more human resources at its disposal as Government had not yet sent home 3 000 plus workers. Is the absence of these workers today an excuse for doing nothing?

Take the case of Texas in the United States where more than 300 miles of beach becomes covered with Sargassum annually. The Texas General Land Office has determined that the US$7 billion tourist industry and US$1.9 billion in commercial fishing business was at risk and has invested significant sums in a Sargassum early warning system that allow them to put mitigation measures in place.

They have even planted signs along the coast to win the support of beachgoers who might otherwise be disconcerted by the phenomenon.

These signs declare Sargassum seaweed to be the eighth wonder of the world and add: Please excuse the seaweed while Mother Nature rebuilds our beaches. Texas also tells visitors that the seaweed is a floating ecosystem, important to create dunes and conserve sand, an invaluable food source for coastal birds, and a natural occurrence along all coastal destinations.

In Barbados, it would appear, we simply leave our guests to be upset when they cant enjoy the idyllic beaches and crystal clear waters we sold them via our travel brochures and television advertising.

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EDITORIAL: Time to tackle seaweed