Caribbean Clears 63,000 Tons of Sargassum as Season Ends

Quintana Roo, Mexico — With just 19 days remaining in the official sargazo (sargassum) arrival season, authorities in the Mexican Caribbean have collected 63,216.35 tons of the invasive seaweed through coordinated cleanup efforts.

Municipalities Lead Cleanup Efforts

According to reports from local municipalities, the Mexican Navy (Semar), and the private company Red Recolector, July saw the highest volume of sargassum accumulation, with 18,476.55 tons removed in that month alone.

Of the total collected:

• Municipal governments accounted for 43,529.83 tons.
• The Mexican Navy removed 11,321.26 tons.
• Red Recolector gathered 8,365.16 tons.

Distribution by Municipality

The majority of sargassum was collected in:

• Playa del Carmen, responsible for 40.5% of the total.
• Othón P. Blanco and Benito Juárez, each contributing 14.7%.
• Puerto Morelos, with 13.6%.
• Tulum, accounting for 10.2%.

Smaller quantities were also removed from beaches in Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, and Lázaro Cárdenas.

Navy and Private Sector Involvement

The Mexican Navy has focused its cleanup operations primarily in Mahahual and Xcalak (Othón P. Blanco), Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, though it has also conducted limited efforts in other areas. Meanwhile, Red Recolector has worked in Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Othón P. Blanco, Playa del Carmen, and Benito Juárez.

Potential Industrial Uses for Sargassum

On August 6, the Diario Oficial de la Federación (Mexico’s Federal Official Gazette) updated the National Fishing Charter, now classifying Caribbean pelagic sargassum as a fishery resource with development potential.

The document highlights possible industrial applications, including:

• Animal feed supplements.
• Fertilizers.
• Biofuels and bioplastics.
• Water treatment solutions.
• Textile and footwear dyes.
• Biomaterials for brick production.

The cleanup efforts continue as the region prepares for the official end of the sargassum season.