Chetumal, Quintana Roo – During the winter season, Mahahual recorded an atypical influx of sargassum this weekend, a situation that generated concern among fishermen and residents of the area.
Residents called on authorities to begin early containment work, as some points near the tourist area are experiencing arrivals of the macroalgae. Although the volume is not yet high, service providers consider the phenomenon a warning sign.
According to local testimonies, the sargassum did not reach Mahahual’s tourist strip directly. However, influxes were detected in alternative areas and points near Xcalak, which reinforces concern for the 2026 season.
The Sargassum Monitoring Network reported that the season in Quintana Roo began unusually. At least five of the ten coastal municipalities are already experiencing arrivals. These include Xcalak and Mahahual in the south, as well as Cozumel, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and Playa del Carmen in the north.
This behavior is atypical, as sargassum normally appears in spring. Specialists attribute the phenomenon to climate change and variations in ocean currents.
It is estimated that there are around seven million tons of sargassum in the ocean, which could make 2026 as intense as 2025, when nearly 73,000 tons were collected.
Although the influxes are just beginning, experts will meet next week to analyze the scenario. Meanwhile, authorities continue with containment actions and evaluate sargassum reuse projects, many of which still lack studies guaranteeing their safe use.
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