Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Boat operators in this Caribbean resort town say they have gone four months without income as a massive influx of sargasso seaweed drives tourists away and paralyzes water activities.
Santos Lorenzo Cat Chan, legal representative of the Cooperativa Turística de Playa del Carmen, said the lack of visitors and poor beach conditions have led to virtually no bookings for boat tours, sport fishing, or snorkeling.
“The few visitors who come just look at the scenery and leave; they don’t even ask about our services anymore,” Cat Chan said.
The cooperative has 12 boat operators, each supporting a family that depends solely on this work. Cat Chan noted that sargasso was also present in 2024, but in smaller amounts and with cleanup crews keeping beaches in better shape. He said operators warned last year that 2026 would be worse, but authorities failed to prepare with adequate equipment.
Cat Chan called on all three levels of government to form a specialized committee against sargasso, including scientists, marine biologists, and experts, to design permanent strategies that reduce environmental and economic impacts.
Boat operator Antonio Mendoza said the municipal government should allocate a dedicated budget for sargasso management, similar to how funds are set aside for hurricane season. He explained that seaweed accumulation has caused tourists to stop booking sea activities, forcing him to fish some days just to feed his family.
“It’s sad to see how Playa del Carmen has been left without beaches. We know sargasso is a natural phenomenon, but authorities must prepare to reduce its effects,” Mendoza said.
