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Some fishermen and fishmongers from Axim and its environs in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region have expressed deep worry over the sudden appearance and fast-breeding of strange weeds along the beaches and on high waters in the area. According to the seamen, these strange weeds, scientifically known as Algae Bloom, are obstructing fishing activities both along the coast and offshore. They pointed out that the Algae Bloom emanate from the area around the oil rig offshore, and explained that their fishing nets get entangled with the strange weed whenever they cast the nets. In an interview, a canoe owner based at Apewosika, which is a suburb of Axim, Nana Kojo Ackon, disclosed that most of the time their nets sweep up weeds instead of catching fish, and to make matters worse, they have to spend several days at the tedious task of removing the entangling Algae Bloom from the nets before going on another fishing expedition. �Our nets have caught nothing, but mere weeds over the past two weeks and we appeal to the appropriate agencies to come to our aide.� Nana Ackon also told Today that the ultimate effect of the presence and problems associated with Algae Bloom is that they are losing money in the form of fuel spent on their fishing expeditions since they always come away with virtually no catch. He said the weeds are also generating garbage along the shores of the affected communities, and it is so serious that it renders difficult a stroll along the beach or even a swim in the sea. Some residents, who spoke to this reporter, confirmed that assertion, and explained that the sandy stretches along the beach are virtually covered by the weeds. �We are appealing to the authorities to, as matter of urgency, come in and solve the problem for us,� Nana Ackon appealed. The agency responsible for cleaning the beaches along the south of the country is Zoil. And an officer of Zoil, who pleaded for anonymity, lamented that the strange weed has made their work very cumbersome, since it now takes several hours to clean up the beaches, because heaps of rubbish piled up along the beaches every day. When Today reached him, the Chief fisherman of Lower Axim, Nana Kojo Pogu, called on the authorities to come to their rescue by taking immediate measures to deal with the weed threat, which has become a source of headache in the community over the last three weeks. He said he has received not less than ten complaints from fellow fishermen along different sections of the coast, and they all lament the inconvenience the weed is causing to their vocation and livelihoods in Axim. On a tour to some of the affected fishing communities within the three districts of Nzema this reporter saw that the beaches of Essiama, Kikam, Asanta, Eikwe and Atuabo, all in the Ellembelle District; as well as Bonyele and Half Assini in the Jomoro District were all covered by the Algae Bloom. The fishermen told Today that from what they have observed since the emergence of the weed they suspect the weed produces certain toxins that are having negative impacts to other marine organisms. While expressing their support for the commercial activities surrounding the oil find, they argue that it cannot go on at the expense of their livelihood. Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Nzema East Municipal Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proved futile; his cell line was out of reach upon several attempts. Analysts argue that the sea has a great variety of marine and aquatic species that serve economic activity of the population along the beach as well as the continued maintenance of marine ecosystem. They state that marine algae and other green plants flourish on excessive nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, in the waters, and as more algae and sea plants grow, the old die. The dead organic matter then becomes food for bacteria that decompose it. With more food available, the bacteria increase in number, use up a lot of dissolved oxygen in the water, and the fish and aquatic insects that struggle to survive.