Seagrass Under Siege: Sargassum Invasion Threatens Quintana Roo

Seagrass meadows along the coasts of Quintana Roo have been steadily declining in recent years. This is due to an influx of Sargassum seaweed that blocks sunlight, forcing the marine flora to move or die out.

Dilian Noemi Anguas Cabrera, a postdoctoral researcher from the Sustainability Sciences department of the Southern Frontier College (Ecosur), reported that seagrass meadows are disappearing within a meter or two from the shoreline. This has been observed at 24 sampling points in Cancun, Nichupté lagoon, Puerto Morelos, Akumal, Tulum, Mahahual, and Xahuayxol from 2021 to present.

The loss of seagrass along the coast leads to a decrease in food and shelter for various marine species. Due to the annual accumulation of Sargassum on the coasts, seagrass is forced to move further out to sea to find areas with enough sunlight to grow.

"Seagrass is moving to deeper waters due to its photosynthetic nature. Without light penetration, the organism dies. The water is very dark due to the degradation of the Sargassum, which doesn't allow light penetration," Cabrera explained.

The research covered an area of 50 square meters and found Sargassum in the majority of these areas. The damage isn't only restricted to biodiversity but also impacts the local economy.

Cabrera pointed out that the Sargassum coverage has led to a decrease in thalassia testudinum, or turtle grass. This plant is a vital food source for turtles during nesting seasons. Beachgoers often interact with the turtles feeding on this plant, but as the turtle grass decreases, the turtles are forced to go deeper into the sea or move to other areas to find food. This leads to a decrease in tourism, impacting the local economy.

To mitigate the decrease of seagrass on the coasts of Quintana Roo, researchers are advocating for the timely collection of Sargassum. They also suggest raising public awareness and supporting projects that can control the algae and potentially use it as an economic opportunity.