Playa del Carmen Removes Over 13,000 Tons of Sargassum From Beaches
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Authorities in Playa del Carmen have removed more than 13,000 tons of sargassum from local beaches so far this year, deploying up to 250 workers daily to combat the influx of the brown algae.
Candy Mendoza, the city’s environment secretary, said the recent seaweed landings have been intense, but stressed that significant efforts are underway. Between 80 and 120 navy personnel are involved in the collection, along with 150 workers from Zofemat, the federal maritime-terrestrial zone agency, and additional crews from public services.
Mendoza acknowledged the situation may discourage local families, but noted that Mayor Estefanía Mercado is preparing to announce new equipment to address the problem. The city has also established a dedicated disposal site for sargassum, ending its use of the landfill for this purpose.
Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx
