BELIZE CITY – The Minister of Blue Economy, Andre Perez, has publicly addressed and dismissed circulating concerns regarding the operational status of Belize’s sargassum skimmers. Contrary to reports suggesting the vessels were abandoned, Minister Perez clarified that both skimmers have been actively undergoing scheduled routine maintenance for the preceding two weeks.
In a statement made on March 5, 2026, Perez emphasized that the machinery is expected to be fully operational and redeployed for seaweed harvesting by the upcoming week. Dismissing images depicting rust and neglect as misleading, the Minister attributed the vessels’ current state to the normal wear of marine equipment and the ongoing servicing process.
Furthermore, Perez revealed that the government’s strategy to combat the recurring sargassum influx is being significantly bolstered. Additional cleanup machinery is slated to arrive and commence operations shortly, forming a critical expansion of the nation’s mitigation efforts. The Minister stressed that the existing skimmers, while vital, are insufficient alone to manage the scale of the challenge, making the new equipment essential for an effective response.
The government’s proactive stance aims to ensure the protection of Belize’s coastline and tourism industry from the environmental and economic impacts of sargassum seaweed.