Mexico Deploys 7.5km of Sargassum Barriers to Protect Beaches

Quintana Roo, Mexico — The Secretariat of the Navy (SEMAR) has installed 7,545 meters of containment barriers along the coastline of Quintana Roo as part of its ongoing efforts to mitigate the environmental, tourism, and societal impacts of sargassum seaweed. The initiative falls under the "Sargassum Attention Strategy 2025," coordinated by the Fifth Naval Region in collaboration with federal, state, and municipal authorities, as well as private sector stakeholders.

A Multi-Zone Strategy to Combat Sargassum

The operation is divided into three strategic zones:

• Northern Zone: Encompassing Isla Mujeres, Cancún, and Puerto Morelos.
• Central Zone: Covering Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Tulum.
• South Zone: Extending from Mahahual to Xcalak.

Naval forces have mobilized significant resources across Quintana Roo’s nearly 1,000 kilometers of coastline, including:

• 1 ocean sargassum vessel.
• 11 coastal sargassum vessels.
• 20 smaller support vessels.
• Specialized sargassum removal equipment.
• Over 380 naval personnel deployed statewide.

Barrier Deployment and Collection Efforts

Coastal containment, a critical phase of the strategy, involves installing barriers on high-impact beaches to redirect sargassum using natural currents, waves, and wind patterns. The seaweed is then collected manually or mechanically at designated extraction points.

Current barrier installations include:

• Puerto Morelos: 2,310 meters.
• Playa del Carmen: 2,580 meters.
• Mahahual: 2,265 meters.
• Tulum: 390 meters.

Addressing Unprecedented Sargassum Influx

May and June saw an atypical surge in sargassum arrivals, prompting intensified response efforts. In hard-to-reach areas, authorities have implemented a dynamic return system, leveraging waves and currents to push sargassum back to sea for later collection at accessible points.

Additionally, SEMAR has activated Beach Collection Groups, combining naval personnel with state, municipal, and public efforts. This collaboration has facilitated the cleanup of approximately five kilometers of beaches in Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel, and Mahahual.