“Seaweed Invasion Crisis Hits Playa del Carmen Coast”

The shores of Quintana Roo, Mexico, are currently experiencing a massive influx of seaweed, with Founders Beach in Playa del Carmen being one of the most heavily affected areas. While the volume of seaweed is less than what was recorded last year, the amount is still significant.

The surge in seaweed is largely attributed to the heat, and as of now, nearly eight thousand tons of seaweed have washed up on the coast since January. This seaweed has been distributed along the entire coastline, causing a significant impact on local ecosystems.

According to environmental experts, as of May 2024, the area has seen a total of 8,000 tons of seaweed, compared to 9,800 tons during the same period in 2023. This represents a decrease of 1,800 tons. However, they predict that the volume of seaweed will increase significantly over the summer months.

Interestingly, last year saw a strong influx of seaweed that abruptly ceased in September, a trend that had not been observed for several years. This gave hope to local communities and environmentalists that the phenomenon might be concluding early.

Experts studying the Sargasso algae, the type of seaweed causing this issue, warn that it can be quite harmful to local marine species.