Key facts
- A record wave of sargassum seaweed is impacting Mexico's Caribbean coast, threatening tourism and the environment.
- Quintana Roo officials project 119,000 tons of sargassum by year's end, exceeding last year's record.
- The seaweed's decomposition releases foul odors and can harm marine ecosystems.
- The Mexican Navy has deployed specialized ships, collectors, and drones to combat the algae.
- The government plans to present a revised response strategy on July 30.
A record-breaking influx of sargassum seaweed is inundating Mexico's Caribbean coast, severely impacting tourism and the environment. The brown, foul-smelling algae, which drifts across the Atlantic, is expected to reach unprecedented levels in the state of Quintana Roo, home to popular destinations like Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Environmental officials in Quintana Roo project that 119,000 tons of sargassum will wash ashore by the end of the year, surpassing the previous record of 96,000 tons set last year. Scientists attribute the surge to warmer ocean temperatures, increased nutrient levels, and prolonged sunlight. Once on the beaches, the decomposing seaweed releases a strong odor, likened to rotten eggs, and can deplete sunlight for underwater plant life, reducing biodiversity. There are also concerns about the potential leaching of heavy metals like arsenic into the sand.
The economic consequences are severe, with Tulum Councilman Eugenio Barbachano stating that the drop in tourism is critical and that the low season is exceptionally challenging. The Riviera Maya hotel association estimates the annual cost of combating the seaweed at approximately $150 million, while Governor Mara Lezama indicated that managing sargassum costs the state about 11% of its GDP, or roughly $2 billion annually. In late June, a local monitoring network reported that 92.5% of Quintana Roo's beaches had excessive levels of sargassum, leading to closures and red alerts.
In response, the Mexican Navy has deployed a fleet of 11 specialized ships, an amphibious collector, 18 support boats, two barges, and four drones. They have also installed over 9,000 meters of containment barriers. The government is scheduled to present a revised emergency response plan on July 30. Marine scientists emphasize the need for integrated systems combining satellite observations and forecasting models for targeted interventions before the seaweed reaches the shore.