Quintana Roo Turns Sargassum Into Resource With Circular Economy

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — From Ojo de Agua Beach in Puerto Morelos, Governor Mara Lezama led the official declaration marking the start of the 2025 Sargassum Season, launching a coordinated strategy to address one of the most persistent environmental challenges facing Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

The announcement formalizes a preemptive effort involving federal, state, and municipal authorities to mitigate the ecological and economic impacts of the invasive seaweed. Governor Lezama emphasized that the declaration reflects Quintana Roo’s commitment to proactive measures.

A Symptom, Not the Enemy

“We are here today because we are prepared for the arrival of sargassum,” Lezama stated. “But we must remember: sargassum is not the enemy—it is a symptom. One of the most severe symptoms of climate change.”

She stressed the need to address root causes, including unsustainable production and consumption patterns. “From Quintana Roo, we aim to fundamentally change how we interact with our land and sea,” she added.

Multi-Agency Coordination

The 2025 Sargassum Response Strategy involves collaboration with the Mexican Navy, which has deployed an oceanic sargassum vessel, 11 coastal ships, 22 smaller boats, and 9,500 meters of containment barriers across municipal beaches.

Since the start of her administration, the state government has allocated over 383 million pesos ($22.8 million USD) toward machinery, scientific research, and technology to combat mass seaweed influxes. A key goal, Lezama noted, is transforming sargassum from a liability into a resource.

“Through circular economy principles, we can convert this waste into an asset,” she explained, urging hotels, restaurants, schools, and households to participate in conservation efforts.

Ecological and Economic Threats

Óscar Rébora, Secretary of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), underscored the urgency of a science-based approach. While sargassum serves as a marine habitat, unchecked growth disrupts coastal ecosystems, degrading water quality, blocking sunlight, and harming biodiversity.

A study by the Inter-American Development Bank estimates sargassum’s economic impact at 11.6% of Quintana Roo’s GDP—approximately 40 billion pesos ($2.4 billion USD) annually.

A Long-Term Solution: The Circular Economy Center

To address this, SEMA announced the creation of the Integral Center for Sanitation and Circular Economy, a facility designed to revolutionize waste management.

“This center will provide long-term solutions for sargassum, wastewater, and sludge,” Rébora said. “It will mitigate environmental and public health risks while fostering local economic growth.”

The center will utilize specialized technology, machinery, sensors, and electronic monitoring systems, positioning Quintana Roo as a hub for environmental innovation.

Governor Lezama concluded with a call to action: “Quintana Roo is ready. Together, we will face this challenge.”