AGP Executive Report

Volcanology Watch: Mount Pelée, Martinique’s deadly volcano, is showing renewed unrest after decades of quiet, with the Martinique Volcanological and Seismological Observatory reporting a sharp jump in seismic activity—124 earthquakes between July 24 and July 31—and 331 volcanic quakes detected across July, raising concerns about possible ash and gas impacts on northern Martinique and regional air travel. Earthquake Update: A 4.4 magnitude shallow quake struck about 45 km east of Castries early Sunday, with minor tremors felt across Saint Lucia, Martinique, and St Vincent and the Grenadines; no damage or injuries were reported, though seismologists say details may change. Marine Science & Tourism: A new University of South Florida report says about 27 million metric tons of self-sustaining sargassum were recorded in the Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf in July, and this year scientists say it’s growing locally in the region rather than just arriving by currents—blanketing beaches, rotting ashore, and threatening marine life and tourism. Climate Risk & Insurance: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study highlights Caribbean hurricane-exposed communities where farmers, fishers, and tourism workers often lack insurance and must replace losses themselves, pointing to gaps in government disaster financing and limited coverage at co-op and household levels. Regional Business Resilience: CariCham elected a new executive team, with Martinique’s Vanessa Victorin named vice-chair, emphasizing trade facilitation, advocacy, and disaster risk reduction. Tax Tech for CARICOM: COTA opened a conference urging “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax administration to strengthen sustainable regional revenue.

Volcanology Watch: Mount Pelée (Martinique) is showing renewed unrest after decades of quiet, with the Martinique Volcanological and Seismological Observatory reporting 124 earthquakes between July 24–31 and 331 volcanic quakes across July—an uptick that can signal rising magma or pressurized fluids, though it doesn’t guarantee an eruption; a major blast could send dangerous gas/ash over northern Martinique and disrupt flights. Earthquake Update: A 4.4 magnitude shallow quake struck about 45 km east of Castries, with tremors felt across Saint Lucia, Martinique, and St Vincent and the Grenadines; no damage or injuries were reported, and details remain preliminary. Marine Health & Tourism: A University of South Florida report says about 27 million metric tons of self-sustaining sargassum were recorded in July across the Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf, with scientists noting this year’s growth in-region is “none of this is normal,” driven by factors like warming waters, runoff, and changing winds/currents. Regional Business & Resilience: CariCham elected Kiran Maharaj as new chair, naming Martinique’s Vanessa Victorin and Suriname’s Gino Naarden as vice-chairs, with a focus on trade facilitation, advocacy, and disaster risk reduction. Climate Risk & Insurance Gaps: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study highlights how hurricane-exposed farmers, fishers, and tourism workers in Jamaica, Barbados, and Grenada often lack insurance and must replace losses themselves.

Eastern Caribbean Earthquake: A shallow 4.4 magnitude quake struck about 45 km east of Castries early Sunday (3:04 am local), with tremors felt in Saint Lucia, Martinique, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines; the UWI Seismic Research Center says it was about 10 km deep and no damage or injuries were reported. Sargassum Crisis: A new report says swaths of self-sustaining sargassum are blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with about 27 million metric tons recorded in July; scientists say this year is unusual because the seaweed is growing locally in the region, smothering marine life and fouling beaches. Caribbean Insurance Gaps: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study highlights that hurricane-exposed communities in Jamaica, Barbados, and Grenada often lack insurance, leaving farmers, fishers, and tourism workers to replace losses themselves. Regional Business Leadership: CARICHAM elected Kiran Maharaj as new chair, with Vanessa Victorin and Gino Naarden as vice-chairs, emphasizing trade facilitation and disaster risk reduction. Tax Tech for CARICOM: CARICOM’s Carla Barnett urged smarter, data-driven, AI-enabled tax systems to secure more resilient, home-grown financing for the region’s future.

Marine Hazard: A shallow 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck about 45 km east of Castries early Sunday, with minor tremors felt across Saint Lucia, Martinique, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines; no damage or injuries were reported, though scientists say details may change as analysis continues. Ocean & Climate Impact: Seaweed “sargassum” is blanketing Caribbean and Gulf coastlines, with scientists reporting about 27 million metric tons in July; this year is unusual because the algae is growing locally in large quantities, not just arriving by currents—experts link the surge to warming waters, runoff, and changing winds and currents, raising risks for marine life and tourism. Regional Business & Resilience: CariCham (Caribbean Chambers of Commerce) elected Kiran Maharaj as new chair, with Martinique’s Vanessa Victorin as vice-chair, emphasizing trade facilitation, advocacy, and disaster risk reduction. Caribbean Insurance Gap: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study highlights that farmers, fishers, and tourism workers in hurricane-exposed Caribbean states often lack insurance and must replace losses themselves, pointing to delays in aid reaching households and small businesses. Tax & Tech for Growth: CARICOM’s tax administrators meet in Guyana to push “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax systems, with CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett stressing more resilient, home-grown financing as external support becomes less certain. Waste & Youth Recycling: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group launched school recycling bins to cut plastic pollution and ease pressure on a local dump site, with support from the Liberty Caribbean Foundation.

Eastern Caribbean Earthquake: A 4.4 magnitude, shallow quake hit about 45 km east of Castries early Sunday (3:04 am local), with tremors felt in Saint Lucia, Martinique, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines; no damage or injuries were reported, though the UWI Seismic Research Center notes details may change after review. Sargassum Crisis: A new University of South Florida report says about 27 million metric tons of self-sustaining sargassum were recorded in July across the Atlantic/Caribbean/Gulf, and this year scientists are seeing it grow locally in the region rather than just arriving by currents—raising concerns for marine life, tourism, and coastal health. Caribbean Insurance Gap: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study highlights that farmers, fishers, and tourism workers in hurricane-exposed Caribbean states often lack insurance and must replace losses themselves, pointing to delays in aid reaching households and small businesses. Regional Tech & Environment: Flow Grenada partnered with the Grenada Green Group to install recycling bins in secondary schools across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, aiming to cut plastic pollution and ease pressure on a local dump site.

Earthquake Watch: A 4.4 magnitude, shallow quake struck about 45 km east of Castries early Sunday (3:04 am local), with minor tremors felt across Saint Lucia, Martinique, and St Vincent and the Grenadines; no damage or injuries were reported, though seismologists say details may shift after review. Marine & Climate Impacts: A new University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab report says swaths of sargassum are now growing in large quantities in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico—about 27 million metric tons recorded in July—smothering shorelines, harming marine life, and disrupting tourism; researchers warn “none of this is normal,” pointing to warming waters and changing winds, currents, and rainfall. Regional Resilience & Policy: Lloyd’s-commissioned research highlights climate-related insurance gaps in hurricane-exposed Caribbean countries, finding many farmers, fishers, and tourism workers remain uninsured and struggle to recover without faster government support and better community-level insurance options. Tech for Waste Reduction: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group launched school-based plastic recycling bins, starting at St John’s Christian Secondary School, aiming to cut plastic pollution and ease pressure on the Perseverance dump site.

Marine Health & Tourism: A new University of South Florida report says about 27 million metric tons of self-sustaining sargassum were recorded in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico in July, with scientists noting this year’s bloom is the first time they’ve seen large-scale growth in the region rather than just seaweed being swept in by currents—meaning more shoreline die-off, foul rotting smells, and visitor disruption. Climate Risk & Insurance: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study flags major Caribbean insurance protection gaps for hurricane-exposed communities in Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada, finding many farmers, fishers and tourism workers remain uninsured and struggle to replace boats, crops and equipment after disasters. Regional Tech & Policy: CARICOM’s tax chiefs are meeting in Georgetown under a “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” theme, as Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett pushes for more resilient, home-grown financing for the region. Local Environment (Youth Recycling): Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group are rolling out school recycling bins to cut plastic pollution and ease pressure on the Perseverance dump site.

Marine Health & Tourism: A new University of South Florida report says about 27 million metric tons of self-sustaining sargassum were recorded in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico in July, with scientists noting this year’s bloom is unusual because the algae is growing locally in large quantities rather than just being swept in by currents. Environmental Risk: The seaweed smothers shorelines, releases a foul smell as it rots, and can suffocate marine life—raising fresh concerns for coastal communities that rely on tourism. Regional Resilience & Policy Tech: CARICOM’s tax chiefs are meeting in Guyana under a theme of smart, data-driven and AI-enabled tax administration, with Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett urging more resilient, home-grown financing as aid becomes less certain. Business & Climate Solutions: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group are rolling out plastic recycling bins in secondary schools across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, aiming to cut waste and keep plastics out of the marine environment. Insurance Gaps: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study highlights that farmers, fishers and tourism workers in hurricane-exposed Caribbean states often lack insurance and must self-recover after losses. Local Governance & Trade: CariCham elected a new executive team, emphasizing disaster risk reduction and turning regional relationships into concrete business opportunities.

Marine Health & Tourism: A new University of South Florida report says about 27 million metric tons of sargassum have been recorded in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico this July, with scientists noting this year’s surge includes large-scale growth in the region itself—meaning more seaweed may keep smothering beaches, releasing foul odors as it rots, and stressing marine life and tourism economies. Regional Business Leadership: CARICHAM (Caribbean Chambers of Commerce) elected Kiran Maharaj as new Chair, with Vanessa Victorin and Gino Naarden as Vice-Chairs, pledging trade facilitation, advocacy, member value, and disaster risk reduction. Climate & Risk Finance: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study highlights Caribbean insurance gaps, finding many hurricane-exposed workers and farmers in Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada remain uninsured and struggle to replace boats, crops, and equipment after disasters. Tech-Forward Tax Systems: CARICOM’s tax chiefs gathered in Guyana for COTA’s conference on building “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax administrations to secure more resilient regional revenue. Youth & Environment: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group launched school recycling bins to cut plastic pollution, with support from the Liberty Caribbean Foundation.

Seaweed Surge: A University of South Florida report says about 27 million metric tons of self-sustaining sargassum hit the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico in July, with scientists now seeing it grow locally in the region—not just wash in—smothering beaches, cutting marine life, and hurting tourism. Regional Risk Finance: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study warns hurricane-exposed Caribbean farmers, fishers and tourism workers often stay uninsured, leaving them to replace boats and crops themselves while government aid arrives too slowly. Tax Tech Push: CARICOM’s tax chiefs meet in Guyana under “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” reforms, with Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett urging more resilient, home-grown financing. Youth & Green Tech: Grenada’s Flow and the Grenada Green Group launch school recycling bins to tackle plastic pollution, while a youth programme backs agribusiness and agri-tech seed projects. Water Quality Watch: South Africa’s SAHRC flags ongoing wastewater-treatment compliance failures at Kouga municipalities, with bacterial counts above licence limits.

Climate & Insurance: A Lloyd’s-commissioned study says many hurricane-hit farmers, fishers and tourism workers in Jamaica, Barbados and Grenada stay uninsured, leaving households to replace boats, crops, livestock and gear themselves; it urges faster government help and new insurance products via co-operatives and community pooling. Regional Business Leadership: CARICHAM elected Kiran Maharaj as its new Chair, with Vanessa Victorin and Gino Naarden as Vice-Chairs, pledging delivery on trade facilitation, advocacy, member value and disaster risk reduction. Youth & Agritech Funding: Grenada’s YOUtrepreneur Programme backed 10 young entrepreneurs with seed grants up to EC$3,000, including climate-smart farming and a platform linking farmers to institutional buyers. Tax Tech for Resilience: CARICOM and COTA are pushing “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax systems at a Georgetown conference, aiming for more reliable, home-grown financing as development aid gets less certain. Plastic Waste Action: Flow Grenada and Grenada Green Group launched school recycling bins to cut plastic pollution and ease pressure on the Perseverance dump site. Public Health Debate: A commentary challenges a pesticide-use headline by urging deeper discussion beyond one statistic—what’s used, where, and what alternatives exist.

Regional Business Leadership: CARICHAM elected Kiran Maharaj as its new Chair, with Vanessa Victorin and Gino Naarden as Vice-Chairs, aiming to turn trade facilitation, advocacy, member value, and disaster risk reduction into concrete business opportunities across a network representing 100,000+ firms. Public Health & Water Safety: The SAHRC flagged serious wastewater-treatment compliance failures in South Africa’s Kouga municipality, with bacterial counts (E. coli and coliforms) exceeding licence limits at Jeffreys Bay and KwaNomzamo—raising concerns even after rehabilitation steps. AI-Ready Tax Systems: CARICOM’s COTA conference in Georgetown puts “Smart, Data-Driven and AI-Enabled” tax administration on the agenda, as leaders argue Caribbean economies need more resilient, home-grown financing. Tech + Recycling in Schools: Flow Grenada and Grenada Green Group launched plastic bottle recycling bins in secondary schools, backed by a US$10,000 grant, to cut waste and relieve pressure on a local dump site. Science Communication & Food Safety: A commentary challenges how pesticide-use headlines can spark fear without context, urging deeper discussion of pesticide types, crop practices, and safer alternatives.

CARICOM Tech & Tax: CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett opened the 27th COTA General Assembly in Georgetown, urging Caribbean tax administrations to build stronger, resilient economies with smarter, data-driven and AI-enabled systems for sustainable revenue. Regional Science/Policy Link: The conference theme directly ties technology to public finance capacity—aiming to improve compliance, taxpayer services, and revenue mobilisation across the Community. Local Climate Resilience Spotlight: Alexcia Boothe, a 22-year-old from St. Ann, was honoured for academic excellence and volunteer work focused on climate change and disaster preparedness, including projects supporting hurricane readiness. Waste & Youth Recycling: Flow Grenada partnered with Grenada Green Group to install recycling bins in secondary schools, funded by a US$10,000 grant, targeting plastic pollution and reducing pressure on a local dump site. Martinique in the Euro Design Mix: The ECB confirmed that overseas territories—including Martinique—will be incorporated into the next euro banknote redesign phase, after public consultation on competing designs.

CARICOM Tech & Tax Reform: CARICOM’s COTA is meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, with Dr. Carla Barnett urging “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax systems to secure more resilient, home-grown funding as outside aid gets less reliable. Regional Tech Governance: The opening and technical sessions focus on using advanced analytics and AI to improve compliance, taxpayer services, and revenue mobilisation across the Community, with OECD-linked discussions on tax and development. Local Climate Resilience (Youth Leadership): Jamaica’s Alexcia Boothe, honored for academics and volunteerism, is working on disaster preparedness projects including thousands of hurricane-ready cots and shelter planning. Waste Tech in Schools: Flow Grenada and the Grenada Green Group, backed by the Liberty Caribbean Foundation, are rolling out 10 plastic recycling bins in secondary schools to cut pollution and divert waste from an overloaded dump site. Martinique in the Spotlight (Banknotes): The ECB confirms Martinique and other overseas territories will be included in the next euro banknote design phase after a public consultation running until Sept. 21.

CARICOM Tax Tech Push: CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett opened the 27th COTA General Assembly in Georgetown, urging Caribbean tax systems to become more “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” as outside funding gets less certain. Regional Conference Focus: The five-day meeting (27–31 July) will tackle how technology and advanced analytics can boost compliance, improve taxpayer services, and strengthen revenue collection, with CARICOM and Guyana’s tax authorities leading sessions. Local Climate Waste Action (Grenada): Flow partnered with Grenada Green Group and the Liberty Caribbean Foundation to install recycling bins at St John’s Christian Secondary School, with 10 bins planned across Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique to cut plastic pollution. Food Safety Debate: A commentary challenges a pesticide-use headline for Saint Lucia, arguing that one statistic can’t capture which chemicals, crops, and farming conditions drive public health concerns. Science & Society (Martinique link): A feature revisits Frantz Fanon’s anti-colonial legacy, stressing his view of decolonization as a material fight over economic and social power.

CARICOM Tax Tech Push: CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett urged Caribbean governments to build stronger, resilient economies with “smart, data-driven and AI-enabled” tax systems at the opening of the 27th COTA General Assembly in Georgetown, linking the push to regional priorities like deeper integration and climate resilience. Regional Conference Focus: The five-day COTA meeting (27–31 July) will bring together tax administrators and revenue experts to use technology and advanced analytics to improve compliance, taxpayer services, and sustainable revenue—hosted by CARICOM and the Guyana Revenue Authority. Climate & Waste Action in the Region: Flow Grenada, backed by the Liberty Caribbean Foundation, partnered with Grenada Green Group to install recycling bins at schools, aiming to cut plastic pollution and ease pressure on the Perseverance dump site. Agriculture & Public Health Debate: A commentary challenges a headline ranking for pesticide use intensity, arguing that one statistic can’t capture which chemicals, crops, and farming conditions are involved—calling for a more careful public conversation before blaming farmers. Martinique Cultural Science Angle: A piece revisits Jaco Pastorius and Rashied Ali’s live recording made in Martinique, highlighting the island’s role in international music history.