Sea Turtle Protection Boosted as Sargassum Hits Quintana Roo

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Local authorities have intensified efforts to protect sea turtles during their nesting season while simultaneously addressing an atypical surge of sargassum along the coastline. The General Directorate of Ecology, in collaboration with other municipal agencies, is implementing a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the marine ecosystem.

Strict Measures to Safeguard Nesting Turtles

Fernando Haro Salinas, Director of Ecology, reported that the municipality has enforced stringent regulations across 12 kilometers of designated nesting beaches. Key measures include a ban on artificial lighting and vehicular traffic between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., with exceptions only for authorized cleanup operations.

A team of eight turtle conservationists and 20 volunteers patrol the beaches nightly to monitor nesting activity. Additional protections have been introduced at San Miguelito Beach, where pets are now prohibited to minimize disturbances. Playa Coral remains the sole beach permitting pet access.

To date, these efforts have secured 3,528 sea turtle nests, protecting 427,901 eggs across 43 designated hatcheries along Cancún’s shores.

Unprecedented Sargassum Challenges Cleanup Efforts

The Municipal Public Services Directorate, led by Antonio de la Torre Chambe, has faced heightened challenges due to an unusual influx of sargassum at Playa Delfines. Recent ocean currents have deposited large quantities of the seaweed, complicating cleanup operations.

De la Torre noted that daily removal begins at 5:30 a.m. to avoid disrupting nocturnal turtle nesting. Tractors and specialized sweepers collect approximately 200 cubic meters of sargassum daily, with efforts concentrated along Playa Delfines and extending to the Kukulcán Boulevard in the Hotel Zone.

While beaches such as Playa Marlin, Chacmool, Gaviota Azul, Ballenas, and Coral have seen minimal sargassum accumulation, minor deposits have been reported at Playa del Niño and Playa Perlas. Authorities aim to complete cleanup operations by Thursday, contingent on improving weather and oceanic conditions.

Interagency Collaboration

The coordinated response involves multiple agencies, including Civil Protection and Firefighters, to mitigate the dual challenges of turtle conservation and sargassum removal. Officials emphasize the use of specialized equipment to prevent further dispersal of seaweed during extraction.

This multi-pronged initiative seeks to balance environmental preservation with maintaining the region’s appeal to visitors, ensuring the safety of sea turtles during their critical nesting period.