New Sargassum Plant to Clean Up Quintana Roo Beaches

Quintana Roo, Mexico — The arrival of sargassum in Quintana Roo has caused significant disruptions for tourists, with large accumulations of the seaweed affecting beaches across the state’s municipalities. The issue has compelled local and state authorities, as well as tourism-dependent businesses, to implement measures to combat the problem.

Authorities Announce Sargassum Treatment Plant

Mexico plans to establish a plant for the treatment and utilization of sargassum in collaboration with the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean nations, according to Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources.

Bárcena emphasized that in recent years, Caribbean coastlines have received nearly 60,000 tons of sargassum originating from Brazil and Africa. As a result, Mexico is also seeking an agreement with Brazil to address the root causes of the seaweed influx.

The federal official noted that sargassum becomes highly toxic once it washes ashore, making it crucial to collect it fresh from the ocean for more effective treatment. To facilitate this, regulatory changes have been made within the fishing sector. However, the challenge remains in developing infrastructure capable of capturing the seaweed efficiently.

Why Is Sargassum Increasing in 2025?

The surge of sargassum in the Mexican Caribbean is attributed to various environmental and climatic factors. Mexico’s Environment Ministry warned that 2025 could mirror previous years, during which up to 60,000 tons of sargassum accumulated on beaches.

The phenomenon occurs in the Atlantic, where the seaweed proliferates due to increased nutrients from human activities and warm ocean currents. These conditions promote sargassum growth and its subsequent drift toward the Caribbean, significantly impacting Mexico.

Ongoing Beach Cleanup Efforts

Cleaning operations are already underway along Quintana Roo’s beaches. Weeks earlier, reports indicated that foreign companies had arrived in the state to collect and transport the seaweed, which is used in a variety of commercial products and activities.

The new treatment plant represents a coordinated effort to mitigate the ecological and economic effects of sargassum, ensuring the preservation of Quintana Roo’s vital tourism industry.