Quintana Roo Deploys 150 Navy Troops, 7,500 Meters of New Sargassum Barriers

Cancun — In response to the early arrival of sargassum seaweed on the coasts of Quintana Roo, the state government has intensified its containment strategy by adding more personnel, installing new barriers, and strengthening coordination with federal and municipal authorities, reported the Secretary of Ecology and Environment, Oscar Rébora.

The official explained that, although the arrival of the macroalgae was earlier than expected, the constant monitoring has allowed them to react in a timely manner. Currently, he highlighted that in the northern zone there are between 38 and 41 beaches with favorable conditions, classified in green and blue, that is, with low or very low presence of sargassum.

However, he acknowledged that there are points with more complex arrivals, where immediate actions have already been deployed, such as sending barriers to Playa del Carmen to reinforce containment in critical areas.

As part of these efforts, the state is awaiting the arrival of 150 new members of the Mexican Navy, who will join the seaweed collection and management efforts in coordination with the municipalities. This initiative was spearheaded by Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa with the federal government.

Regarding infrastructure, Rébora explained that an additional 7,500 meters of sargassum barriers were acquired, bringing the total coverage to approximately 15,000 to 16,000 linear meters, considering that roughly 3,000 meters must be replaced each year due to wear and tear from marine conditions.

"This allows us to expand our containment capacity and protect more coastal areas," he noted. He added that they are even planning to purchase another 7,500 meters of barriers next year, with the goal of progressively increasing the protected areas.

Additionally, the installation of up to 400 meters of additional barriers in Cancun is being considered, although the specific points where they will be placed are still being defined, based on technical studies carried out in conjunction with the Navy.

Meanwhile, the official highlighted the acquisition of a new, high-capacity sargassum-collecting vessel, which will bolster offshore operations. The vessel, approximately 85 meters long, will have a collection capacity of up to 600 tons, significantly surpassing the "Nance" vessel, which currently operates with a capacity of between 200 and 250 tons.

The strategy also focuses on addressing the main entry points of sargassum, located between Mahahual and Xcalak, as well as in the Tulum area, which explains why municipalities such as Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos are experiencing greater impacts.

Finally, the secretary reported that, to date, nearly 30,000 tons of sargassum have been collected on the state's coasts, as part of an ongoing effort to mitigate the environmental and tourism impacts of this phenomenon.