Puerto Morelos Approves Funds to Protect Beaches and Strengthen Sargassum Response

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — The technical committee of Puerto Morelos’ environmental sanitation trust has approved changes to its 2026 operating budget, adding two projects to strengthen protection and conservation of the municipality’s coastline.

The decision came during the fifth ordinary session of the committee of the Trust for Investment and Administration of the Environmental Sanitation Fee (Fideicomiso de Inversión y Administración del Derecho de Saneamiento Ambiental de Puerto Morelos), which signed off on a modification to the 2026 Annual Operating Program (POA).

Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz said the two projects represent concrete steps to preserve one of the municipality’s main natural assets and to improve its handling of sargassum.

“Today we are taking part in a very important session, because we are taking one more step toward closing out the 2026 Annual Operating Program, with two projects that have something in common: caring for and preserving one of Puerto Morelos’ greatest treasures — our beaches and our sea,” she said.

The mayor said one project earmarks investment for anchoring sargassum containment barriers, reinforcing efforts to hold back the macroalgae and boosting the municipality’s response capacity.

Hotel Sector and Navy Partnership Cited

“Puerto Morelos has shown that when society, government and the private sector work together, we can achieve results. In recent years we have made significant progress in addressing and containing this macroalgae, always hand in hand with the Mexican Navy and with the committed participation of the private sector, particularly our hotel industry, which is part of this technical committee,” she said.

The mayor said the second project added to the 2026 program is the Executive Project for Beach Recovery in Puerto Morelos, first stage, which she described as a long-term commitment to conserving the coastline.

“Our beaches are not only part of our landscape; they are part of our identity, our economy and the experience we offer to those who visit us. Our responsibility is to work so that every kilometer of our coastline is conserved, protected and enjoyed in dignified conditions,” she said.

Merari said tourism growth must go hand in hand with environmental conservation, noting that Puerto Morelos has received more than 900,000 visitors so far this year and is aiming to reach one million tourists annually.

Ana Isabel Luna García, executive director of the trust’s technical committee, said the modification to the 2026 program also includes the removal of a project known as the Sargassum Containment Barrier.

The mayor said the moves reaffirm the environmental sanitation trust’s goal of turning its resources into projects that deliver direct benefits to the community and help protect Puerto Morelos’ natural heritage.

Also taking part in the session were committee president José Luis Ciau Xiu; Rodrigo de la Peña, president of the Cancún, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association and the committee’s fifth member; and technical secretary Lídice Monsserrat Gutiérrez Briceño.

Committee members present included councilwoman Alejandra Basilia Mena; municipal tourism secretary Karina Vázquez Díaz; secretary of urban development and territorial planning Rolando Leonel Melo Novelo; Elsa Miriam Cortés Franco, executive president of ACLUVAQ; Javier Alejandro Hernández Santillán, president of the Puerto Morelos College of Engineers; a representative of municipal trustee Carlo Fonseca León; and a representative of municipal comptroller Mirna Leticia Ramírez Cetina.