An expert diver and spearfisher has raised alarm over the complete absence of sea eggs along the southern corridor of the island’s reef.
Steven Bourne, who annually surveys the South Coast for the Fisheries Division to report on the sea urchin population, told Barbados TODAY that there were none visible on that side of the island.
Interestingly, the seasoned seaman said that based on the absence of sea eggs, there was no need to even conduct a survey this year. No survey was conducted last year either, with the last one carried out in 2022. At that time, he reported seeing a few small sea eggs, warranting further investigation.
“The last survey we did was the year before because I reported that we were not seeing any at all. And again, we are not seeing any this year, so there is nothing for us to go and survey. My team and I go spearfishing and check the grounds every day, as far as Sam Lord’s Castle and Ragged Point Lighthouse. We ain’t see none. At this time of the year, you would see a few young ones if there will be any next year. But there isn’t none at all, at all, at all,” he said, adding that his observations were limited to the South Coast and the situation could differ along the East and West Coasts.
The areas Bourne surveys also include Gemswick, Paragon, Silver Sands, and Atlantic Shores.
An indefinite ban on harvesting sea eggs was implemented in 2005 due to extremely low numbers in the island’s waters. It was lifted in 2015 and 2016, and in 2019, the ban was temporarily lifted for one month from September 15 to October 14.
The increasingly rare delicacy typically provides divers and harvesters with a handsome return; a pound of roe usually fetches $60 or $70.
Bourne also expressed concern about the significant quantity of sand accumulating along the coral reef and in deeper waters since the storm surge from Category 4 Hurricane Beryl on July 1.
He said: “Since Beryl, the ground out there turned to more sand; there is more sand than we ever had before in the reef and deep water—even in places that used to be rock and sea moss. This is a big concern to us because we’re accustomed to seeing sand in certain places, but there is so much that it is covering the rocky areas where young fish would hide from predators. I would like the authorities to investigate this and see if it is negatively impacting sea life.”
Barbados TODAY reached out to the director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit, Dr Leo Brewster, for comment, but received no response up to the time of publication.
sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb
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