Sargassum and Stray Dogs Threaten Sea Turtle Nesting Season in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Heavy sargassum accumulation and the presence of stray dogs are threatening the upcoming sea turtle nesting season along the beaches of Playa del Carmen, according to local activists and service providers.

Osiel Vázquez Lázaro, a boat operator, said the thick mats of sargassum make it difficult for sea turtles to reach the shore to lay their eggs, while dogs pose a danger to the reptiles. He called for increased surveillance to protect any nests that are established.

Workers from the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) reported that only one nest has been recorded so far, and its eggs were relocated by environmental personnel for protection.

Activist Carlos Jiménez Arredondo, who monitors the coastline, said this season will be particularly challenging due to the high volume of sargassum and the threat from dogs. On Playa 72, adjacent to the Luis Donaldo Colosio Murrieta neighborhood, at least 10 turtle arrivals were reported in 2025, but only two resulted in successful nesting because wildlife consumed the eggs.

José Gómez Burgos, president of the Mar Caribe Tourism Cooperative in Playa del Carmen, noted that the sargassum also endangers hatchlings, which can become entangled in the algae and become easy prey for dogs.

Activists said they have reported the presence of dogs on Playa 72 — a key nesting area — to local environmental authorities and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa), but no action has been taken. They urged the government to restrict dog access to the beach.

On Playa 88, turtles failed to nest in 2025 due to the presence of tourists and excessive lighting that scared them away.