A popular resort on Antigua has moved quickly to address community anger over improper seaweed disposal, announcing immediate action to clear the illegally dumped material near the town of Parham. Jumby Bay Resort confirmed that it has issued a direct order to its contracted work team to remove the seaweed, a response triggered by widespread concerns from local residents about the environmental and public health impacts of the unregulated dumping. In an official public statement released this week, executive leadership at the resort said the issue was raised in a formal consultation with Rawdon Turner, Antigua’s Minister of Social and Urban Transformation, during a meeting held Tuesday morning. Resort management emphasized that it moved without hesitation as soon as internal leaders became aware of the inappropriate disposal, noting that the contractor responsible for the seaweed transport and placement has been explicitly told to complete the full cleanup without any delay. Beyond the immediate cleanup order, the resort announced that new, stricter monitoring protocols will be put in place going forward to ensure all future operations align fully with Antigua’s national environmental protection standards. In a gesture of accountability, Jumby Bay’s team also formally validated the concerns raised by nearby residents, reaffirming its long-standing pledge to preserve Antigua’s natural coastal ecosystems and nurture collaborative, positive relationships with all neighboring local communities. The resort’s statement comes on the heels of growing public pushback over the dumping, which had spurred widespread community calls not just for removal of the existing seaweed pile, but for tighter regulatory oversight of coastal waste disposal across the island. Sargassum seaweed influxes have become an increasingly common challenge for Caribbean coastal communities in recent years, with improper disposal creating risks of water contamination, foul odors, and harm to local marine habitats when not managed according to official guidelines.
Jumby Bay Orders Swift Removal of Seaweed Following Environmental Complaints
