Quintana Roo, Mexico — An early influx of sargassum seaweed is devastating the fishing sector in Quintana Roo, with at least eight tons of live lobster lost as the marine algae suffocates the crustaceans, according to local cooperative leaders.
Erick Leonardo Balam Uh and Diana Beatriz Hoil Cámara, the secretary general and treasurer of a fishing cooperative, described the start of the year as “catastrophic” for the industry. They explained that excessive sargassum arrival reduces oxygen levels near the shore, killing not only adult lobsters but also larvae, which will have severe repercussions for future harvests.
The economic impacts ripple through the supply chain. Fishermen catch live lobster in Punta Herrero, which they then sell in Puerto Juárez, Cancún, for export to Japan.
Despite the significant damage already caused by the early and accelerated arrival of seaweed, the cooperative leaders said authorities have not taken decisive action to address the problem. They warned that sargassum continues to wash up on Quintana Roo’s coast, and if the trend persists, the damage will intensify in the coming weeks, affecting the livelihoods of fishing families.
Baltazar Gómez Catzin, president of the Regional Federation of Fishing Cooperatives of Quintana Roo, noted that the situation is particularly severe in the central and southern parts of the state, including Punta Herrero, Punta Allen, and María Elena, where the seaweed influx shows no signs of stopping.
Discover more from Riviera Maya News & Events
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.