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'Get used to the seaweed' - Hon Kedrick D. Pickering

- called it the new normal & that there is no 'silver bullet' solution
Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) said that citizens and residents of the territory might as well get used to the sargassum seaweed washing up on beaches as it is not going away anytime soon. Photo: VINO
A close up of the vegetation. Photo: VINO
A close up of the vegetation. Photo: VINO
“The best scientific evidence available to us at this time suggests that this could be the ‘new normal’. There is no silver bullet to remedying the situation…there is no obvious end in sight to what is taking place,” he said. Photo: VINO
“The best scientific evidence available to us at this time suggests that this could be the ‘new normal’. There is no silver bullet to remedying the situation…there is no obvious end in sight to what is taking place,” he said. Photo: VINO
Some of the media workers at the press conference. Photo: VINO
Some of the media workers at the press conference. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) said citizens and residents of the territory might as well get used to the sargassum seaweed washing up on beaches as it is not going away anytime soon.

He was speaking at a press conference today October 5, 2015 held at the Central Administration Complex in Wickham's Cay 1.

"This is something we will have to get accustomed to in the foreseeable future," the Minister said. He called it the new normal and that persons must get used to this new reality and commit themselves to being part of the cleaning up efforts.

“It is extremely important to emphasise that the phenomenon now hitting the wider Caribbean and to some extent all of the countries lining the Caribbean Sea, including the Gulf of Mexico, is a phenomenon that is not going anywhere in a hurry.”

This is the new normal

“The best scientific evidence available to us at this time suggests that this could be the ‘new normal’. There is no silver bullet to remedying the situation…there is no obvious end in sight to what is taking place,” he said.

The Minister is convinced that the sargassum is a result of climate change and stressed the point that this is why he flies around the world to participate in fora with regards to voicing the impacts climate change will have on small states and territories such as the Virgin Islands.

The Minister said that the territory is paying attention to its counterparts in the wider Caribbean to see how best ideas can be pooled to deal with the sargassum seaweed given its potential impact on the territory's tourism sector.

According to the Minister, it will take nationwide participation to keep the influx of the seaweed at bay.

Speculation

Honourable Pickering added that with regards to work being done by the Water and Sewerage Department to flush the water supply systems with chlorine in Virgin Gorda and in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, his Department is working closely with the Conservation and Fisheries Department to see whether there is a direct correlation between the sargassum and the complaints of discolouration of water and utensils.

“At this point in time it is only speculation as to whether this is what it is,” said the Minister. He said that an education campaign is soon to commence and this will see persons getting the relevant information to help them in the campaign against the invasive, foul-smelling seaweed.

33 Responses to “'Get used to the seaweed' - Hon Kedrick D. Pickering ”

  • facts man (05/10/2015, 17:07) Like (27) Dislike (7) Reply
    so in other words he and his government has no solutions
    • Schups (05/10/2015, 17:35) Like (8) Dislike (12) Reply
      No Government has a solution to this problem except to wait for it to come and put plans in place to deal with it before it reaches this magnitude again. It will cost a lot of money to keep the seaweed at bay, where does the money come from?
    • Rex (06/10/2015, 19:25) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      That smell of Sulphur is coming from under ground. This is the smell of a volcano that is getting ready to blow. These islands are made of volcanic lava. I don't believe that sargassum is causing all of this smell because look at the amount of dead fish that have been beached. Eels, Shark, and numerous other fish that were shown last week. No there is something more sinister going on here. Let's see if we see Pickering eating fish, I bet not because something is killing them.
  • police (05/10/2015, 17:32) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Since you think that we should get use to it......use the government monies to purchase a sea weed collector like st. martin. pls......... http://www.todaysxm.com/small-company-builds-system-to-collect-sargassum-seaweed/
  • we're the goverment (05/10/2015, 17:32) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    People, it's very little to none government can do about the overwhelming sea weed that has taken over the Caribbean, what what< put a net 12 miles out to sea to catch it before it reach land? I mean, he's the minister, but he can still used some ideas, How is T&T government handling it? they have way more than us, If we move it today, it will come back today, the Global warming is real, when people first mention this no more study them, now they seeing the effect, It's been over a year now it's been come & now even more & fast.

    Yet alone, we have tons of heavy equipment's that belongs to our BVIslander's who can assist by donating they equipment's to help out, but they won't move without money. A lot of them made million's off the BVI, If I own the equipment/s I wound have already been on it regardless. I know we are upset & sick of it, trust me I am, again it's overwhelming. My home town of Vg by the AirPort Handsome bay is way too much & stink, no one should be inhaling it, but it's sad not very much we can do, beside pick up the sea weed that's near the beach, yet right outside of that it have more & more & more & lot's more to be wash it. Instead of bashing Government, let's give them ideas that we can help them, help us for we're the government.
  • Yes (05/10/2015, 17:45) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sit down and trust this idiot smh Google yourself
  • profiteer (05/10/2015, 17:49) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    oil nut bay and other fine restaurants can make a fortune selling this stuff as tofu burgers....
  • Bambi (05/10/2015, 17:50) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Really concerned about water situation in VG
    What is the plan ?
  • True (05/10/2015, 18:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    So now all the beaches need to be cleaned by the businesses that are being affected and by the owners of the private houses. Now WAIT all beaches to the high tide mark are public access and owned by the crown the government so get moving on the new normal and get the place cleaned as the seaweed only reaches the high tide mark!!!!
    • Hitler (05/10/2015, 18:51) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
      You are so funny all beaches in the bvi is public face reality or leave point blank
      • Lily Ann (06/10/2015, 10:26) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        Get with the program ... Piko selling prime lots AND beaches to the rich .... that's why they can say IT'S THEIRS
  • serious george (05/10/2015, 18:23) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    cut the sargassum, this is serious! the government should send the BVI ambassador and a psychologist out in a
    motorboat to reason with the seaweed to get it to leave. if it won't leave, then it will be stoned. diplomacy shall
    prevail.
  • wow (05/10/2015, 19:34) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    I can't believe what I am reading, is he for real?
  • JACK BE STILL (05/10/2015, 19:50) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ndp must go
  • Paplin (05/10/2015, 19:52) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply

    Hon Pickering u need to shut the sh*t bur get use to the see weed THE THING STINK use some of our tax money and pay the thug on the street to clean the place. Give them a job to do from robbing working people.

  • YOLO (05/10/2015, 21:14) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Pay me to help clean it up on my day off need the extra money to cover the NIH BILL
  • ANDY (05/10/2015, 21:45) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    If everyone in the country could donate 1 hour a week to clean up, then we would be good. But when most people don't think twice about littering I know this will never happen. No pride!
  • Concerned (05/10/2015, 21:45) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    We can certainly reduce the amount of it that washes ashore, some Caribbean countries are drying it and using as fertilizer. That's an idea
    To just simply say get used to it is just ridiculous..... Hmmm
  • fool (05/10/2015, 21:48) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply

    He full of sh*t

  • poor we (06/10/2015, 05:18) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    H L STOUTT said where there s no vision the ppl will perish
    This seaweed has been affecting VG for more than a year now BUT no one CARES
    There are enough boats that could patrol from south sound bluff to copper mine point and collect this sea weed daily and avoid this
    But no representation Considering d sista island coordinator lives on d beach at handsome bay Goes to tola every day My god man mcouldnt he have brought this to some ones attention Seeing that the rep needs to see d eye dr
    HELP VG NEEDS HELP FAST
    • yes (06/10/2015, 06:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      There is a viable business opportunities for someone who did collect the seaweed. Organically speaking there are hundreds of money making opportunites.
  • Concerned (06/10/2015, 05:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Since we in VG dont have water Will schools be closed
    How can kids use bath room safely n sanitary wise
    Our leaders need to wake up Be pro active Gosh mann
  • 1Q (06/10/2015, 06:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I see a money making opportunity if someone has the time, manpower and equipment you can's lose. Seaweed be used for more than just fertilizer. Take a look on the net, if this is the new 'norm' can someone from the public be a leader (not government) and start a new business area?
  • Mick Mars (06/10/2015, 07:52) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    'Get used to whatever troubles you under our government because we plan to fix it on OUR time at YOUR expense'.
    ...is kinda what I getting from this.
  • Vin (06/10/2015, 08:46) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    i really hate to hear this guy
  • sin (06/10/2015, 08:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Perhaps the seaweed might be a living metaphor for the sin of this nation. Just like how the seaweed stinking in our noses, so might the sin of this nation be rising in the Lord's nose: Isaiah 65:5. Global warming/climate change...call it what you want...it boils down to a SIN problem. This is a Christian nation...let's stop sugar-coating it. But the fact that the seaweed can be used for agriculture...that it is not totally bad but can be used as a benefit means that all is not lost...we still have a chance to repent and truly turn to God as a nation. Proverbs 22:3 "A prudent man foresees the evil, and hides himself: but the simple [fools] pass on, and are punished." Proverbs 27:12 "A wise man sees sin and hides himself, but the fool goes on and suffers for it."
  • Hmmmm (06/10/2015, 10:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its not an issue of getting used to it. No one said it can be stopped. We dont need to hear that. Common sense and logic already dictated that. What we need is measures to intercept the seaweed before it reaches our shores. Yes we will not get all of it but vigilance helps instead of sitting and doing nothing and making brash statements like get used to it. We dont need a wife we need to tackle the issue before it comes.
  • Dwayne J. Strawn (06/10/2015, 17:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have been researching this for a while and have a 3 part system/solution to this challenging issue. Simple enough but definitely not with a dollar figure. Our tourism product is being seriously affected and it doesn't have to be. The seaweed issue WILL cost money. .. one way or the next. On the front end or the back end. If there are any minsters of governmen who aren't satified with simply making this something they have to get used to and/or serious persons interested in forming a partnership to address this issue now and long term feel free to contact me at Dwayne@djstrawngroup.com
    • dude (06/10/2015, 18:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Cost money or not, it is a problem of life and death and the economy. No time to be cheap. we need it fix and control. simply put.
  • W*F (08/10/2015, 13:22) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is a shame that we have this idiot in government.


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