During the Easter vacation, a massive influx of sargassum invaded several beaches in Quintana Roo, advancing by two months to June and July, which, according to experts, is the season of greatest presence of the macroalgae. Since April 3rd, the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar) has collected 3,990 tons of sargassum off the coast of Quintana Roo with the help of tractors, in an attempt to maintain the whiteness of its beaches and not disappoint the 250,000 visitors who arrived for this holiday period.
However, the efforts were futile, as beaches such as Akumal, Tulum, Sian Kaan, Punta Allen, Mahahual, and Xcalak registered abundant influxes and accumulation of sargassum.
A report from the Sargassum Monitoring Network indicates that since April 3rd, 13 beaches along the entire coastline of Quintana Roo have recorded a high presence of sargassum; another 25 with a generous influx; 16 with moderation; 38 with very low presence and 8 without algae. Experts are concerned because the critical months of June and July are still far away, when this mass reaches its peak.
Meanwhile, dozens of tourists preferred to “flood” the cenotes of the Mexican Caribbean to avoid sargassum.
It is important to note that sargassum is a type of seaweed that is found floating in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, which has been causing problems in recent years due to its massive arrival on the coasts of various countries in the region. The accumulation of sargassum on beaches not only affects tourism, but also causes environmental problems, such as the death of marine species and the loss of biodiversity.
Various efforts have been made to combat this problem, such as the use of barriers to prevent the arrival of sargassum on beaches, the installation of sargassum collection boats, and the implementation of monitoring systems to detect the arrival of sargassum on coasts. However, the problem remains and requires ongoing efforts to mitigate its effects.
Furthermore, the impact of sargassum on the economy of the region is significant, as tourism is one of the main sources of income for the countries in the Caribbean. The presence of sargassum on beaches can deter visitors and cause losses for local businesses. Therefore, it is important to continue working on solutions to this problem and raise awareness among the population about the importance of preserving the environment and preventing the arrival of sargassum on coasts.
