Sargassum kills 8 tons of lobster in Mexico’s Punta Herrero

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The atypical arrival of sargassum to the coasts of Punta Herrero, in the municipality of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, has caused an estimated die-off of up to eight tons of lobster at the start of 2026, generating severe economic impact for the fishing cooperatives in the area, which denounce a lack of institutional support to address the phenomenon.

Erick Leonardo Balam Uh and Diana Beatriz Hoil Cámara, general secretary and treasurer of the local fishing cooperative, reported that the start of the year has been catastrophic for their main productive activity, as the excess sargassum drastically reduces oxygen levels in the water, causing the death of both adult lobster and larvae, which compromises not only the immediate catch but also the future reproduction of the species.

They detailed that the lobster caught in Punta Herrero is marketed in Puerto Juárez, from where it is exported to international markets such as Japan, so the losses not only impact fishing families but the entire productive chain linked to export.

The cooperative representatives indicated that, despite the magnitude of the problem, they have not received support from state or federal authorities for cleaning or containing the sargassum, which continues to arrive by the ton to the coast, worsening the situation day by day.

They warned that, if urgent actions are not implemented, the damage could intensify in the coming weeks, putting at risk the main source of income for dozens of families and irreversibly affecting the balance of the marine ecosystem.

They called on environmental and fishing authorities to immediately address this problem before economic and environmental losses become even greater.