Cancún Considers Installing Anti-Sargassum Barriers in Nichupté Lagoon

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Faced with an atypical and persistent influx of sargassum along the Mexican Caribbean coast, Quintana Roo’s Environment Department (Sema) is evaluating the installation of containment barriers at the entrances of Cancún’s Nichupté Lagoon to prevent the algae from damaging the water body.

Environment Secretary Óscar Rébora Aguilera said the presence of the macroalgae blocks sunlight, disrupting the ecosystem’s natural cycle and affecting local flora and fauna.

“Although sargassum has ecological value in the open sea, when it arrives here it can affect the lagoon by preventing sunlight from providing vitamins for the lagoon’s ecosystems,” he said.

Authorities are working with specialists to identify strategic locations for the barriers, aiming to protect the lagoon system and the species that depend on it. The massive arrival of sargassum has raised concerns about its impact on lagoon wildlife.

The measure requires close coordination with the Harbor Master’s Office to avoid disrupting boat traffic. Officials are seeking schedules and strategic points that allow both nautical operations and environmental protection.

Rébora Aguilera noted that officials are also analyzing potential barrier sites off Cancún’s coast. Currently, barriers are only installed in Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

“We are finishing reviewing with the Navy whether it is possible to place them in Cancún. We already have some sites identified,” he said.

The barriers acquired so far are not all suited for the same wave conditions. Some areas experience stronger waves, allowing sargassum to cross easily or pass underneath due to the size of the floating mats. To address this, authorities are collaborating with experts from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) to improve barrier design, a trial-and-error process that has been ongoing since 2018.