Quintana Roo Braces for Sargassum Onslaught

In January 2025, small clusters of sargassum seaweed were spotted along the shores of Quintana Roo, according to the Sargassum Monitoring Network. The seaweed was found in critical areas such as Mahahual, Xcalak, north of Tulum, south of Playa del Carmen, the east coast of Cozumel, and, to a lesser extent, Puerto Morelos.

These clusters were found without any mixing with sea grass or red algae. Although the current intensity of these strandings is low, it's anticipated to gradually increase with the onset of spring, peaking between May and June. This year, the increase is projected to be 30 percent more than in 2023 and 2024.

The accumulation of sargassum on the coasts of Africa and the central Atlantic poses a significant challenge, with an estimated 25 million tons expected to reach the Caribbean this year. However, the majority of this seaweed mass is predicted to be diverted towards the Greater Antilles, which would lessen the direct impact on Quintana Roo. This pattern has been observed over the past three years.

The year 2018 marked the start of significant sargassum impact, with 20 million tons in the Caribbean, one million of which reached the coast of Quintana Roo. In 2022, a record 23 million tons of this macroalgae were registered in the Caribbean. However, the direct impact on the region was less due to ocean currents diverting the seaweed north of the area.

The Optical Oceanography Laboratory at the University of South Florida predicts that 2025 will be a significant year for sargassum monitoring due to high quantities in the tropical Atlantic. Continuous monitoring will be maintained to assess the evolution of this phenomenon and mitigate its impact on Mexican coasts.

One of the most affected municipalities each stranding season is Solidaridad. In 2025, they plan to take a new approach to managing the algae. In collaboration with Thrasos 3D, a company recognized for its Sustainable Technological Innovation, they will use the collected sargassum to create artificial reefs through 3D printing. This could transform the environmental problem into a solution for regenerating coral ecosystems.

The project will include specialized training to keep the sargassum in optimal conditions during the process. The environmental secretary emphasized that this new application will complement traditional uses such as compost. However, so far, no other companies have expressed interest in the environmental processing of the macroalgae.