Since early last month, large brown patches of an unfamiliar substance have been spotted floating along the east and south coasts of Barbados.
In the May 22 edition of the SUNDAY?SUN, marine biologist with the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU), Fabian Hinds reported that the substance was not as a result of an oil or chemical spill.It is trichodesmium or sea sawdust, which is found in nutrient poor tropical or subtropical oceans and is most frequent in March.
He then advised Barbadians not to panic.
Last week, further concerns were raised by seabathers about an unusual amount of seaweed washing up on the shore, especially along the south and east coasts.
Hinds told the MIDWEEK NATION it was common for this kind of seaweed to wash ashore around this time of year.
He said it could easily be mistaken for sea sawdust while floating at sea.
“We don’t expect any more reports of sea sawdust until next year,” he added. (MM)
