Act now to save the Black River Morass!

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The Black River Morass is under threat.

A few weeks ago, I returned to my hometown of Slipe, St Elizabeth, which borders the Black River Morass. As I approached Timber Bridge, a familiar landmark, I stopped in disbelief. The beautiful stream I had known throughout my life had seemingly disappeared beneath an unsightly yellowish-green carpet of alien vegetation.

A local fisherman explained that the dense plant cover had made paddling his canoe exhausting and prevented him from diving to spear fish. A scheduled baptism had been cancelLed, water could no longer be collected for domestic use, and children could no longer swim there. Residents also fear that aquatic life and the birds that depend on it are being threatened.

The infestation appears to be spreading throughout the wetlands. Although expert confirmation is needed, the plant resembles Salvinia molesta, an invasive aquatic fern notorious for forming dense mats. Manual removal offers only temporary relief, while reports of chemical spraying raise concerns about possible contamination of the water and the fish and shrimp on which residents depend.

If left unchecked, this invasion could threaten the ecological integrity of the morass, local livelihoods, and the fledgling Black River ecotourism industry.

In my book, I’m From Slipe: A Testament to Family and Community, I wrote: “The people of Slipe had long been faithful custodians of this ecosystem, and in return, the marshland had sustained them.”

Sadly, this natural inheritance is increasingly threatened. I also documented the plight of local shrimp catchers whose livelihoods have suffered following the introduction of a non-native shrimp species that, according to local accounts, has severely depleted native shrimp populations.

How did these invasive species enter our wetlands? Were adequate safeguards in place? What are the authorities doing, and who will be held accountable if regulatory failures are established?

I urge the relevant authorities to identify the plant, assess the extent of the infestation, and implement an effective, scientifically informed response.

Slipe’s wetlands are integral to our community’s heritage, culture, and survival. We must act now to protect them for present and future generations.

PHILLIP DALEY