4,000 Tons of Sargassum Cleared from Mexico’s Beaches

Quintana Roo, Mexico — Approximately 4,000 tons of sargassum have been removed from the beaches of Playa del Carmen since the beginning of the year, according to Samantha Álvarez, head of the Municipal Secretariat of Environment and Climate Change. The figure mirrors the amount collected during the same period in 2024.

Cold Fronts Help Mitigate Sargassum Influx

Álvarez attributed the relatively controlled influx of the seaweed to recent cold fronts, which have slowed its mass arrival. This has allowed authorities to maintain optimal beach conditions for tourists during the spring vacation season.

A team of 280 workers is continuously cleaning the shorelines to ensure safe and attractive recreational spaces for both residents and visitors. Álvarez emphasized that during the holiday period, there will be ongoing coordination with Civil Protection and other agencies to reinforce coastal safety measures.

2024 Saw Over 40,000 Tons Collected

Last year, more than 40,000 tons of sargassum were removed from Quintana Roo’s coastline. Álvarez urged citizens and tourists to avoid littering on beaches and to contribute to preserving the natural environment.

Massive Sargassum Surge Expected This Summer

While Cancún’s beaches have experienced low sargassum levels during Holy Week, Esteban Amaro Mauricio, director of the Sargassum Monitoring Network, warned that a significant surge is anticipated this summer.

“In the last three years, we haven’t seen sargassum volumes as high as those expected in 2025,” Amaro Mauricio stated. “Last year, over 40,000 tons were collected, and this year that number will likely be surpassed, as the season started nearly two months earlier than usual.”

The most affected areas currently include Mahahual, Xcalak, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Tulum, and the eastern coast of Cozumel. Playa del Carmen and Cozumel have seen intermittent arrivals, while Cancún has maintained low accumulation levels.

Anti-Sargassum Barriers Deployed

To mitigate the impact, the Mexican Navy and the state government have installed 9,500 meters of anti-sargassum barriers along the coast. Recently, 800 meters were completed in Puerto Morelos, while an additional 1,000 meters remain pending in Tulum.

These barriers are expected to play a crucial role in protecting beaches from the anticipated surge in sargassum during the summer months.