Cancun's beaches have seen a significant increase in sargassum seaweed in the early months of 2024, according to the General Direction of Municipal Public Services. The data provided shows:
- January: 5.05 tons
- February: 174.97 tons
- March: 616.91 tons
The Sargassum Monitoring Network has warned that larger quantities of the seaweed are expected to wash ashore in the coming days. The forecast predicts approximately 500,000 tons, primarily affecting southern municipalities such as Mahahual, Xcalak, Sian Ka'an, Solidaridad, and Tulum.
Cancun's most affected areas include Playa del Niño, Puerto Juarez, and Puerta del Mar beach. Furthermore, out of 100 beaches monitored on Isla Mujeres, Benito Juarez, Puerto Morelos, Solidaridad, Cozumel, and Tulum, 32 are reported to have high concentrations of the seaweed.
The Civil Protection authorities suggest that beachgoers check the wind direction to avoid the sargassum, as it influences the direction of ocean currents. If the wind is blowing south, it's recommended to visit a beach in the north, and vice versa.
However, there is some good news. Comparing data from the first quarter of 2023 and 2024, there's been a decrease of 30.05% in the amount of sargassum found on Cancun's beaches. The volume fell from 1,627.35 cubic meters in 2023 to 1,138.46 cubic meters in 2024.
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