Fishers are urged to avoid dense sargassum areas and take precautions as heavy seaweed influx affects Dominica's east, south and exposed coastlines.
Dominica: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy has issued a public service advisory on July 15, 2026, due to a massive sargassum seaweed influx that is severely impacting the island's East Coast, South Coast, and other exposed coastal territories.
Influxes of sargassum have been reported are affecting the Eastern Caribbean region, affecting fishers with their operations by damaging their equipment and making access to landing sites more difficult.
In the shared advisory, the Fisheries Division advised both the residents and fisherfolk in the affected coastal communities to take caution while fishing or spending time in the impacted areas.
Fisherfolk have been advised to be careful with their vessels and equipment and to avoid navigating through areas with dense sargassum accumulation.
The Fisheries Division encourages all fisherfolk to take the necessary precautions to protect their vessels, equipment, and personal health. Avoid navigating through thick mats of sargassum whenever possible, regularly inspect and clear your propeller and engine cooling water intake, and always monitor weather and sea conditions before leaving port, appealed the Fisheries Division.
The advisory has stated that fishers should use protective clothing and gloves and wash exposed skin after handling equipment covered with sargassum.
It has also encouraged citizens to protect their personal health as exposure to gases released from the sargassum can cause headaches, eye irritation and nausea. Exposure to the gas may also cause breathing discomfort, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions or those spending extended periods near affected beaches.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms has been urged to move to an area with fresh air and seek further medical assistance if the symptoms persist. Reports of sargassum-related concerns will be accepted by the division through email at fisheriesdivisiondom@gmail.com or (767) 266-5262 through calls.
Citizens can also reach out to the fisheries liaison officer in their areas.