Cancún, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa announced that the state government and the Mexican Navy are preparing a new project to strengthen the fight against sargassum, including additional investment and the installation of ocean barriers in deeper waters.
After meeting with President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Lezama said the sargassum strategy was one of the topics discussed, along with other state-related issues.
“We have a project we are developing with the Navy, in addition to what we already have, with an investment — a very significant investment from the state government, unconditional support from the Navy, and the president always attentive to relevant issues for the country,” she said.
She noted that the current state strategy includes 22 sargassum-collecting vessels, one specialized ship, another that will be added in about three weeks, 11 deep-water boats, containment barriers, and a new scheme of ocean barriers.
The governor said the goal is to turn sargassum “from a liability into an asset” and asserted that Quintana Roo is the entity that allocates the most resources to address this phenomenon.
“It is the state — and I speak of the world — where the scourge of sargassum is most addressed. We have the monitoring center, we have a large number of vessels, a large number of people working when it reaches the beach… because uncertainty is generated… but it is not on all beaches nor every day,” she said.
She added that the Tourism Promotion Council is simultaneously running campaigns to attract visitors despite the sargassum influx and a reduction in aircraft availability due to production issues.
Internal Morena Process: ‘I Am Respectful’
Regarding the start of Morena’s internal process ahead of the 2027 election, Lezama declined to comment and said she is focused on her duties as governor.
“I am respectful. Today is Thursday, and obviously I have to talk about what I have to talk about as governor of the state,” she responded.
