Navy Deploys Emergency Sargassum Cleanup in Quintana Roo

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The Mexican Navy has reinforced emergency cleanup actions and installed barriers ahead of schedule in response to an unusual arrival of sargassum on the coasts of Quintana Roo, according to the commander of the XI Naval Zone, Vice Admiral Marco Antonio Muñoz.

The naval command explained that although this does not correspond to the usual season for massive sargassum arrivals, an unusual presence of this seaweed has been recorded, forcing immediate reinforcement of response efforts. He noted that operations have not stopped throughout the year but were currently in a maintenance phase prior to the formal start of the season.

In coordination with municipal and state governments, as well as with community participation, Navy personnel have been assigned to directly support sargassum collection tasks on affected beaches, primarily in the southern zone of the state. These efforts include manual work and the use of vehicles to remove accumulated seaweed from the coastal strip.

Marco Antonio Muñoz highlighted that one of the main actions is the early installation of sargassum barriers in Mahahual, with the objective of containing the seaweed’s arrival before it reaches the coast. He detailed that they are currently working with approximately 2,300 meters of barrier and are analyzing the possibility of extending the system by an additional 500 to 600 meters to improve protection and divert sargassum further out to sea.

The vice admiral explained that some temporary structures were removed for maintenance but are already in the process of being reinstalled. He assured that the intention is to maintain adequate coverage at the most vulnerable points to reduce environmental and tourism impact.

When questioned about whether this situation represents an early start to the sargassum season, the commander clarified that it is an atypical event, resulting from natural conditions that have favored the seaweed’s movement toward the Mexican Caribbean. He specified that there are constant forecasts and monitoring of sargassum presence in open sea, which allow for timely decisions regarding its management.

Marco Antonio Muñoz Hernández recalled that in 2025, the total tons of seaweed collected were 18,534; 7,906 tons from beach cleanup tasks, and 10,627 tons captured in the water before affecting the state’s coasts.

Finally, Vice Admiral Marco Antonio Muñoz reiterated that the Navy will maintain its permanent support to Quintana Roo in combating sargassum, as it is an issue that directly impacts the environment, economy, and well-being of coastal populations, and emphasized that coordinated actions will continue to mitigate its effects.