Cancún Demands Hotels Tackle Sargassum Cleanup

Cancún, Mexico — Cancún Mayor Ana Patricia Peralta de la Peña announced that she will hold a critical meeting on Monday with members of the Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association to address the state of beach cleanliness and sargassum management.

The meeting aims to evaluate whether hotels are fulfilling their legal responsibilities in federally concessioned zones, where they are required by law to conduct cleaning operations and properly dispose of collected sargassum.

“The objective is to work in a coordinated manner. We are conducting an assessment of which hotels and condominiums are cleaning their beaches and which are not. This is not about confrontation; it’s about teamwork,” Peralta de la Peña stated.

Legal Obligations and Compliance Issues

Hotels are responsible for cleaning their designated federal zones and transporting the collected seaweed to the sanitary landfill for treatment.

“We have found that some hotels are not properly carrying out the cleaning and removal of sargassum. They must understand that it is mandatory to take it to the sanitary landfill, specifically to the ‘Ciprés’ cell… This is very important,” the mayor emphasized.

The municipal government will present a detailed report highlighting irregularities, including the improper use of machinery such as sweepers. Operators working at unrecommended speeds end up scattering the sargassum rather than removing it, further complicating cleanup efforts.

Rebuilding Coordination and Offering Support

The meeting is not solely intended to expose shortcomings but also to rebuild coordination with hotels, provide technical guidance, and, if necessary, offer training to improve sargassum collection efficiency. The issue not only affects the destination’s image but also its coastal ecosystem.