Yucatán’s New Beach Flag System for Red Tide

Mérida, Yucatán — The government of Yucatán, through the Interinstitutional Committee for the Monitoring and Evaluation of Red Tide, has established a system of color-coded flags to identify risk levels on the coast and guide the public on necessary precautions and safe zones.

With the objective of protecting public health and guaranteeing clear information about the situation on Yucatán's beaches, the Committee approved the implementation of this color-coded flag system, which will allow citizens to identify the level of risk and make safe decisions when entering the sea.

A green flag indicates a low risk, meaning conditions are suitable for bathing and activities near the shore. A yellow flag signals a moderate risk, recommending caution and advising against swimming, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with vulnerable health conditions. A red flag alerts to a high risk and prohibits entering the sea and conducting activities on the shore due to the presence of harmful or toxic microalgae that represent a danger to health.

The Committee determined that the stretch from the Pluma and Lápiz departments in Progreso towards Chicxulub will remain under a yellow flag, while the area from Pluma and Lápiz to Celestún will continue under a red flag.

During the Committee's seventh session, it was highlighted that the surveillance of the red tide is based on scientific evidence and coordination between various institutions. Following agreements from the previous meeting, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) officially notified the modification of the restrictive fishing zone, which now covers a strip 15 kilometers offshore from Progreso to Sisal.

Additionally, the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav) Mérida unit presented the most recent results of sampling along the coast, while the State Public Health Laboratory (LESP) maintains permanent monitoring of both harmful and toxic algal blooms to evaluate health risks.

The Undersecretary of Protection against Sanitary Risks for the Yucatán Ministry of Health and Committee spokesperson, Domitilo Carballo Cámara, highlighted the coordination with the Mexican Institute for Research in Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture (Imipas), the Secretariat of Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture (Sepasy), and other federal and state authorities. He reiterated that the combined efforts seek to protect public health and reduce the impact of the red tide on the coast.

The specialized technical group integrated by the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), Semarnat, Sepasy, Imipas, and Civil Protection of Yucatán (Procivy) continues with the safe management of marine organisms that have washed ashore on the beaches, following environmental and sanitary protocols.

During the session, laboratory results from samples collected between Progreso and Celestún were also shared. These results allow for the identification of the presence and concentration of potentially harmful species, with no variations currently registered.

The Assistant Director of Legal Affairs for the SSY, Richard Escamilla Várguez, representing the head of the ministry, Judith Elena Ortega Canto, reminded that all official information regarding the red tide will be disseminated solely through the Committee's authorized channels, guaranteeing the veracity of the data and avoiding confusion.

Finally, it was agreed that the Committee will continue to meet periodically to update information, adjust strategies based on monitoring results, and ensure the protection of public health for as long as this phenomenon persists, reaffirming the State Government's commitment to prevention and citizen safety.