The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change (MENRCC) has reported a coordinated response involving the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the local non-profit organisation Beyond the Reef to address a fish die-off observed at Flamingo Pond in Anegada. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands.

According to information gathered from Anegada residents and previously reported by our news centre, Sargassum seaweed has infiltrated the pond near the entrance of the Flamingo Pond Lookout. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change stated in a press release that following reports of the die-off, and given the substantial influx of Sargassum seaweed recorded in the area the previous week and earlier that same week, Sargassum decomposition is the primary suspected cause. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

According to information gathered from Anegada residents and previously reported by our news centre, Sargassum seaweed has infiltrated the pond near the entrance of the Flamingo Pond Lookout. 

The ministry stated in a press release that, following reports of the die-off, and given the substantial influx of Sargassum seaweed recorded in the area the previous week and earlier that same week, Sargassum decomposition is the primary suspected cause. 

In response, Beyond the Reef volunteered to install a Sargassum boom to reduce further seaweed influx into the pond and assist with clearing the pond entrance over the weekend. 

The Ministry commended Beyond the Reef for their generous and practical contribution to the response effort.

'Stark reminder of very real environmental consequences' 

Meanwhile, Ms Angela Burnett Penn, Director of Environment in the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, welcomed the collaborative response to this incident. 

She said, "The fish die-off in Anegada is a stark reminder of the very real environmental consequences that Sargassum inundation can have on our fragile coastal ecosystems. The Ministry conducted a thorough assessment, which confirmed our initial findings, and we are encouraged by the signs of improvement following the intervention over the weekend.” 

The decomposition of large volumes of Sargassum in and around coastal ponds can hinder water exchange and severely deplete oxygen levels, creating hypersaline and hypoxic conditions that are harmful to fish and other marine life.

Ms Burnett Penn further expressed her gratitude, saying, “We are particularly grateful to Chris Juredin and his team from Beyond the Reef for their immediate and practical support in installing the boom and clearing the pond entrance. This kind of community partnership is invaluable as we respond to the increasing pressures that Sargassum poses across the Territory”.

Assessment & Monitoring

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, along with members of Beyond the Reef, conducted a site visit to confirm the assessment. During this visit, the Ministry collected water samples and conducted a visual inspection of the area.

Ms Atoya George, Environment Officer at the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, noted that the findings were consistent with the Ministry's initial assessment. 

She said, "Our water quality testing confirmed that the decomposition of Sargassum was depleting oxygen levels in the pond to a degree that was unsurvivable for the fish. While our follow-up assessment on Monday, 4th May, 2026, showed some recovery, dissolved oxygen levels remain low, so we will continue to monitor closely. The installation of the boom is a practical intervention, and we will be tracking its effectiveness as part of our collaborative ongoing response."

In light of this situation, the Ministry will continue to monitor Flamingo Pond and other areas across the Territory to coordinate an effective response as necessary.