Mahahual Beaches Swamped by 436 Tons of Garbage Daily

CHETUMAL, Quintana Roo — A total of 436 tons of garbage is recorded daily on various beaches near the community of Mahahual, with no cleanup efforts or initiatives from the authorities of the Othón P. Blanco Municipality to address the problem, according to members of the civil association Proyecto AAK Mahahual.

The presence of waste has generated concern among specialists, given that the coasts of Mahahual and surrounding beaches are the destination for 70% of hospital waste and other solid residues, endangering the abundant marine fauna and flora of the site.

According to statements from members of Proyecto AAK Mahahual, 70% of the garbage washing ashore in southern Quintana Roo originates from countries such as Colombia, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and other islands located in the Antilles.

Among the recorded waste, a large portion consists of hospital residues, making it common to find syringes, blood tests, medicine packaging, as well as common garbage such as plastic bottles, solid waste, and commercial product wrappers.

Specialists indicated that the majority of the washed-up debris is reported on the coasts of Mahahual, as well as on adjacent beaches such as Punta Pulticub, Puerto Madero, Chacmool, Río Huache, and Coral Garden Inn.

In this regard, the association stated that in these sites, there are no programs or actions by the Othón P. Blanco Municipal Government to carry out cleanup efforts that would ensure the cleanliness of the beaches, where there is a significant presence of sea turtles and other endemic fauna, whose well-being is at risk due to the daily washing ashore of garbage.

"This waste is not from Mahahual; the Mexican Caribbean coast receives a large amount of solid waste that comes from the Caribbean, from the Greater and Lesser Antilles, via currents from South America and Central America. We have found waste from several countries and vessels. Yes, there is garbage from local people, but the majority of the residue comes from countries located in the Antilles," asserted the leader of the association.

Therefore, the association has undertaken cleanup brigades alongside members of civil society and environmental groups, prioritizing the space where sea turtles nest during certain seasons of the year.

Finally, the leader of Proyecto AAK Mahahual urged authorities to address the matter to ensure the cleanliness and well-being of the beaches. He also asked citizens to be conscious of the impact of their garbage.

"I would like to mention that it is very important to raise awareness. Unfortunately, governments do not pay attention to these issues, and our Othón P. Blanco municipality does not participate in beach cleanups. That is one of many problems we have to deal with because the government does not pay attention, and it is a serious problem. We have recorded turtles caught in nets and birds with plastic stuck on them. There is no awareness in terms of public policies; nothing has been done about it," he stated.