Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) Dr. Leo Brewster.
A SUGGESTION that the contentious Greenland site in St. Andrew could be put to more practical use, particularly as it relates to providing irrigation for farmers, is “worthy of further investigation.”
During the recently hosted programme Let’s Talk About It, which focused on the Blue Economy, the suggestion was made from a caller that the “pond” on the site which was constructed back in 1997, could be used to develop an aquaculture industry, with the potential for local fishing and or creating another avenue for export and by extension creating foreign exchange.
The site was earmarked by the then Barbados Labour Party administration to be the country’s new landfill, but the multi-million dollar project was scrapped because of environmental concerns.
Director of the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) Dr. Leo Brewster stated, “I think the idea of using the area of the area down there in Greenland, using the water that has accumulated within that location as a potential source for irrigation water to farmers in the area, is a very valid one.
“I think that is something because over the years, since the location for the original Greenland landfill has ‘seasoned’, it has grown up, it has stabilised, it has established itself, and is active in essence as a water retention area. There's been sufficient time for the climatisation of the “pond” itself to be used for irrigation purposes. So I think that's a good idea.”
On the question of whether or not it could be also used conceptually for aquaculture he added that this may be a bit more difficult to visualise. “Because you have to then look at the aspects of establishing the hatchery, the nursery, and then putting them in the pond and being able to actually effectively harvest them from the pond, while taking into consideration the feed sources of water into the pond that could introduce parasites, etc.
“So that may be a little more long term, but potentially, it can be done. I do know that they have looked at similar things in the Bawdens area up there in St. Andrew as well for doing similar aquaculture projects. And that was way back in the late 80s, going into the 90s. They also had the Greenland Agricultural Station where they used to grow freshwater red tilapia and they were experimenting with them there as well.”
He added: “It does provide a unique opportunity for the Fisheries Division to be exploring the concepts of aquaculture as part of that process... and you know, it’s something that I think can be raised with our Minister to that effect.”
Dr. Brewster explained that one of the biggest challenges, however, is the source water. “Because remember that when we start going into the dry season, the water flow into areas like that is not consistent. And therefore, especially when you have long periods of drought, water levels inside the same pond area can fall. And therefore you can then get other issues relating with low oxygen levels that can impact on anything you’re trying to grow in there,” Dr. Brewster explained.
(JH)
News
