Cozumel, a city in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, is currently experimenting with artificial reefs created from sargasso, a type of seaweed. The project involves the use of artificial corals, also made from sargasso, which have been installed along the city's coastline.
Toni Chaves, the president of the Riviera Maya Hotel Association (AHRM), explained that the project uses modular structures, similar to lego, into which living corals are inserted for regeneration. The aim is to create an artificial reef using sargasso, rather than cement or rods, which have been found to have a negative impact on the ocean.
Chaves highlighted the success of a pilot program using this approach, which resulted in the regeneration of corals and marine life. He also noted that the structures have successfully withstood recent storms and hurricanes, providing further evidence of their viability.
The design of the project involves a 3D printed, modular dome constructed from sargasso waste and clay. The dome is coated with a sargasso extract to reduce the need for manual maintenance.
The sargasso-based reef project was originally proposed in November 2023 by Dr. Shadai Lugo Loredo, a research professor at the Autonomous University of Nuevo León. The project is part of a three-year program developed in partnership between BBVA bank and the AHRM.
Chaves explained that the project has received support from academic institutions, and has the potential to become a new industry, transforming waste into a valuable raw material.
A few months ago, a meeting was held in Quintana Roo with representatives from the European Union and global financial institutions to discuss funding for sargasso-based projects. Attendees included scientists, entrepreneurs, and hoteliers from countries such as Jamaica, Cuba, Panama, and the Dominican Republic.
In November, projects utilizing sargasso in Quintana Roo will be recognized and awarded.
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