The Government of Antigua and Barbuda is seeking assistance from Japan to address the persistent challenge of sargassum seaweed inundating the nation’s coastlines and to strengthen the country’s fishing industry.

Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Hon. Anthony Smith Jr., made separate appeals during courtesy calls last week with Japanese Ambassador Yusuke Miyasaka and First Secretary Mr. Ursushitata.

Prime Minister Browne said Antigua and Barbuda is looking to Japan for support, including equipment and research that could help the country better manage the annual influx of sargassum.

“We are making an appeal to our friends, the Japanese government, to help us with equipment or research on how we can effectively deal with the tons of sargassum seaweed that overwhelm our beaches annually,” the Prime Minister said.

He noted that the Government is particularly interested in finding ways to convert the seaweed into useful products such as fertilizers and other commercial items.

“Attempts to turn the seaweed into useful products have so far proven difficult, but we remain hopeful that there may be solutions that countries like Japan can help us identify and implement,” Browne added.

Agriculture Minister Anthony Smith Jr. made a similar request during his meeting with Ambassador Miyasaka, highlighting the growing economic and environmental impact of sargassum on Antigua and Barbuda.

The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to seek Japan’s assistance in expanding the country’s offshore fishing capacity through the acquisition of deep-sea fishing vessels.

“Antigua and Barbuda can be considered a mid-sized nation when our extensive territorial waters are taken into account. Unfortunately, we have not been able to effectively exploit the resources within those waters because we do not have the vessels needed to harvest our pelagic fish stock,” Browne said.

He explained that the Government hopes to acquire between 10 and 15 fishing boats to enable local fishers to venture farther offshore and access higher-value pelagic species.

According to Browne, the initiative has two major objectives: encouraging greater local fish consumption and reducing dependence on imported fish, while simultaneously strengthening the country’s food security and creating new economic opportunities for fishers.

The Prime Minister said the Government is seeking concessional financing arrangements to facilitate the purchase of the vessels and advance the country’s blue economy agenda.