Sargassum Kills Fish in Mahahual, Quintana Roo

Chetumal, Mexico — Thousands of tons of sargassum accumulating along the shores of Mahahual have led to a mass killing of fish, according to environmental activists who documented the event. The alarming phenomenon was reported across multiple coastal areas in southern Quintana Roo, where decomposing seaweed has severely depleted oxygen levels in the water.

Ecological Crisis Unfolds

Victor Rosales, president of Proyecto Aak Mahahual, explained that the decomposing algae drastically reduces oxygen availability, suffocating marine life. “The sargassum also blocks sunlight from reaching the seabed,” Rosales noted, “which damages critical habitats like coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass meadows.”

Despite efforts by local and state authorities, the scale of the crisis has overwhelmed operational capacities. Officials urgently require specialized machinery, extraordinary resources, and federal intervention to mitigate the disaster.

Desperate Calls for Action

Tourism operators, fishermen, and Mahahual residents have issued urgent appeals, warning that the marine ecosystem is collapsing before their eyes. “This isn’t just a seasonal issue—it’s an ecological crisis demanding immediate, coordinated government action at every level,” one local advocate emphasized.

Photographs shared by activists show extensive fish kills along the coastline, underscoring the severity of the environmental emergency. The situation highlights the broader challenges posed by recurring sargassum influxes in the region.

The crisis in Mahahual follows warnings from scientists and environmental groups about the long-term impacts of unchecked sargassum proliferation on coastal ecosystems.