Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Despite the efforts of dozens of public service workers and the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) in this municipality, the foul odor of decomposing sargassum is detectable from at least 800 meters before reaching Playa Fundadores.
Persistent Problem Despite Cleanup Efforts
Every day, hundreds of national and international tourists, as well as local residents of Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, must endure the stench emitted by the seaweed.
According to workers on-site, sargassum continues to wash ashore in large quantities, even after barriers were installed in the ocean. Small "hills" of the macroalgae are visible along the shoreline, accumulating before being removed from the tourist zone. Crews are actively working to collect the sargassum in an attempt to minimize further impacts.
Tourism and Economic Concerns
The persistent odor poses a significant challenge for the local tourism industry, as visitors are deterred by the unpleasant conditions. The issue has raised concerns among business owners and officials, who fear prolonged effects on the region’s economy if the sargassum influx is not effectively managed.
Efforts to mitigate the problem remain ongoing, but the scale of the sargassum arrivals continues to overwhelm existing cleanup measures.
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