Puerto Morelos Battles Rising Sargasso Seaweed

Puerto Morelos is bracing for a higher influx of sargasso seaweed along its coastline this year, and preparations are already underway to clean the beaches.

In 2024, Puerto Morelos collected 19,275 cubic meters of sargasso, equivalent to 7,009 tons. This figure was significantly lower than previous years, when the volume of seaweed collected on the beaches of this tourist destination was double. With the expectation of a larger influx of sargasso this year on the Quintana Roo coast, and given that Puerto Morelos is one of the most affected municipalities, beach cleaning strategies are being developed. Regina Rodriguez Vivas, the municipality's Secretary of Ecology and Animal Welfare, is working on a plan with the Federal Maritime Land Zone (Zofemat) and the National Commission of Protected Areas (Conanp).

The goal is to collect the macroalgae in the open sea to minimize the amount that reaches the beaches. "When this happens, we will manually remove the seaweed to avoid further erosion," Rodriguez Vivas explained. Although the loss of sand has not been as extreme as in other parts of the state, the aim is to prevent further damage.

Rodriguez Vivas emphasized a desire to limit the use of machinery in line with federal guidelines from the Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA). This work will not only be carried out at public access points, but along the entire coastal area. Approximately 20 hoteliers are cooperating with this effort.

While the amount of sargasso arriving so far has been minimal and is expected to be less than last year, there has been an increase in seagrass in the area. As a result, beach cleaning will be intensified using delivered equipment, which includes a tractor, a sweeper, three 22 m³ containers, and an ATV. Seaweed boats and a sargasso barrier, extending from The Fives Hotel to the fiscal dock, are also available.

Preserving the beaches and related services, the main attraction of Puerto Morelos, is crucial. This will help maintain the Blue Flag certification and ensure the safety of both local and foreign visitors. Between January and October 2024, the municipalities of Solidaridad and Puerto Morelos were most affected by sargasso. In Puerto Morelos, six thousand of the approximately 37 thousand tons collected in shallow waters and on Quintana Roo beaches were gathered. On a positive note, the sargasso is being put to good use. Puerto Morelos has commissioned a transfer site operated by Oceanbiosphere, where the macroalgae are transformed into high-quality compost suitable for improving crops.