Akumal Unites to Tackle Sargassum Threat Together

Tulum, Mexico — In response to the ongoing influx of sargassum along the Caribbean coast, fishing cooperatives, tourism industry leaders, and local authorities organized a cleanup initiative in Akumal to address the seaweed accumulation along the bay’s shoreline.

The joint effort included nautical service providers, hotel operators, personnel from the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat), representatives from the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), and volunteers. Participants gathered early in the morning to remove tons of sargassum from the beaches, ensuring the area remains clean and suitable for tourism.

Pío Jiménez, a nautical business owner in Akumal, emphasized that the initiative was not only a response to the visual and environmental impact of sargassum but also a demonstration of shared responsibility among stakeholders who rely on the coastal ecosystem.

“Sargassum directly affects our economic activities, but it also harms reefs and marine life. Instead of waiting for authorities to solve everything, we decided to organize and join forces,” Jiménez stated.

He added that cleanup efforts will continue in the coming days and that a long-term containment and collection strategy is already being developed to mitigate the effects of sargassum without disrupting local ecosystems.

With this collective action, Akumal joins other communities in the municipality of Tulum that have undertaken similar efforts to combat the sargassum season, demonstrating that collaboration between civil society, private industry, and government is essential to preserving the natural appeal of the Riviera Maya.