Senator proposes bill declaring sargassum a national and regional environmental emergency

Santo Domingo.- Senator Rafael Barón Duluc of La Altagracia has introduced a bill to the Senate’s Legislative Secretariat seeking to declare sargassum a national and regional environmental emergency. The initiative responds to the growing threat this invasive seaweed poses to the Dominican Republic’s coastal ecosystems and tourism-driven economy.

The proposed legislation outlines a comprehensive strategy that includes prevention, mitigation, and sustainable use of sargassum. Key measures include the creation of a National Fund to Combat Sargassum, early warning systems, offshore collection protocols, tax incentives for its productive use, and a national environmental education campaign.

“Sargassum is no longer a seasonal problem—it’s a structural crisis,” said Senator Barón Duluc. “We need a coordinated national response grounded in science, sustainability, and political will.”

The bill assigns responsibilities to multiple agencies, including the Ministries of Environment, Tourism, Defense, and Public Health, as well as the Dominican Navy, Civil Defense, and local governments, to ensure a multisectoral and proactive approach.

Additionally, the proposal urges the Dominican Republic to take a leading role in the region by fostering international cooperation with Caribbean nations and scientific institutions. The bill has been sent to committee for further analysis and debate, and the senator called for unified legislative support to protect the nation’s beaches and economic future.