“$61.7 Million Spent on Sargassum Clean-Up in Mexican Caribbean”

The comprehensive beach cleaning operation in the Mexican Caribbean during the 2024 Sargassum season is expected to cost over 61.7 million pesos. The aim of this operation is to keep approximately 3.57 million square meters of beaches in Quintana Roo free from the invasive seaweed.

The operation is being carried out under the National Public Tender number SEMA-DA-DRMP-LPN-003/2024, which pertains to the "comprehensive beach cleaning service of the beaches of Quintana Roo State, including sweeping, removal, and transfer of sargassum to designated sites." The Ministry of Ecology and Environment (SEMA) has awarded the contract to Red Recolector S.A. de C.V., a company based in the State of Nuevo León.

As of now, SEMA has not disclosed which municipalities and beaches will be serviced by Red Recolector S.A. de C.V. this year. However, last year's operations included the municipalities of Benito Juárez, Puerto Morelos, Solidaridad, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Othón P. Blanco, Lázaro Cárdenas, and Tulum, and cost approximately 28.8 million pesos.

According to SEMA, Red Recolector S.A. de C.V. meets all the legal and technical requirements for the job. The company has the technical capacity to sweep, remove, and transfer sargassum to designated sites, and is capable of cleaning the full 3.57 million square meters of Quintana Roo's beaches. With a workforce of 3,566 according to their tax declaration, and 25 years of experience in handling urban solid waste, special management waste, and hazardous waste, the company is well-equipped for the task.

SEMA has yet to announce the start and end dates for the comprehensive beach cleaning operation.