Playa del Carmen Unites to Combat Sargassum Crisis – Estefanía Mercado Leads the Way!

With the impending influx of sargassum on the shores of Playa del Carmen, municipal president Estefanía Mercado has announced a comprehensive strategy. This strategy involves collaboration between different levels of government and the private sector to tackle this recurring phenomenon that affects the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean.

Mercado stated, "Our coordinated effort includes the Secretary of the Navy, ZOFEMAT, the state government, and the hotel sector. We are all striving to mitigate the impact of this phenomenon, which is directly linked to the global climate change we are currently experiencing." This statement came after Mercado led a meeting to establish specific actions in response to the peak sargassum season.

Mercado outlined that the Navy will be tasked with installing containment barriers at sea. The municipality, on the other hand, will handle the collection and proper disposal of the seaweed on land. They will also keep the public informed about the areas most affected by sargassum.

"Our role is to gather the sargassum, dispose of it safely, and also help prevent and promptly announce which beaches are most affected," she explained.

Furthermore, Mercado announced that special cleanup campaigns will be implemented. These campaigns will involve not only municipal workers but also members of the Navy, the National Guard, and staff from other agencies.

"We will initiate various measures related to the sargassum issue, and all public servants will be actively involved," she confirmed.

Mercado also urged the public to support these initiatives and to stay informed through the municipality's official communication channels.

"Collaboration is crucial to ensure our beaches stay clean and in the best condition for both locals and visitors. While we can't control the sargassum, we can act responsibly to lessen its impact," she emphasized.

Mercado stressed that the municipality will continue to enhance its monitoring, cleaning, and awareness efforts to protect one of Playa del Carmen's most precious assets: its beaches. She affirmed that the coordination of these efforts will be vital during this season, which is expected to be particularly challenging due to the buildup of sargassum offshore, as detected by the Navy.