Mahahual, Quintana Roo — The Mexican Navy has installed more than two kilometers of sargassum barrier off the coast of Mahahual as part of a federal strategy to contain the massive arrival of the seaweed and protect beaches in southern Quintana Roo.
The barrier installation is part of the permanent operation deployed each year during the peak sargassum season in the Mexican Caribbean. In Mahahual specifically, authorities have placed over two thousand linear meters of maritime containment, which has helped divert and concentrate the seaweed before it reaches the coastline.
The Navy emphasized that this action has been crucial for keeping the port’s beaches clean. Mahahual is one of the main tourist destinations in Othón P. Blanco municipality, whose economy depends heavily on tourism and cruise ship activity.
Specialized naval personnel have been responsible for placing, supervising, and maintaining the barriers, as well as coordinating offshore collection efforts using sargassum vessels. Once concentrated, the seaweed is removed and transported to authorized sites for final disposal.
Tourism service providers in Mahahual acknowledged that the timely installation of barriers has made a significant difference compared to previous years, when large quantities of sargassum washed directly onto beaches, affecting the destination’s image and causing economic losses for hotels, restaurants, and water activity operators.
The Navy noted that monitoring of ocean currents and weather conditions is continuous, with the goal of adjusting barrier placement if necessary to ensure effectiveness. The agency also reiterated that it works in coordination with state and municipal authorities to reinforce coastal cleanup efforts in the area.
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