Senator Calls for Urgent Action to Save Mexican Beaches

Senator Eugenio "Gino" Segura of Quintana Roo, Mexico, has called for immediate action from various institutions and government levels to combat climate change. His primary concern is the ongoing loss of Mexico's beaches, which millions of tourism jobs rely on.

Quintana Roo is home to some of Mexico's most popular beaches, attracting a significant portion of the country's tourists. "Tourism in our state contributes 8.7% to the national GDP and generates around 450,000 direct jobs and over 1.2 million indirect jobs," Segura explained. Locations such as Cancun and the Riviera Maya boast some of the highest hotel occupancy rates in Mexico, often surpassing 80% throughout the year.

The senator's comments were made in recognition of International Beach Day, celebrated every third Saturday in September. He praised the efforts of Quintana Roo's Governor, Mara Lezama, who has worked tirelessly to have 25 of the state's beaches receive the Blue Flag certification. Lezama has also established a Comprehensive Sargasso Management Plan, which has led to the removal of over 44,500 tons of sargasso from 3 million square meters of beach. This initiative was made possible with the support of the Secretary of the Navy and local municipalities.

Segura emphasized the urgency for Mexico to implement a Comprehensive Coastal Recovery and Protection Program. This program would aim to mitigate the impacts of climate change and coastal erosion, ensuring the environmental and economic sustainability of local communities. He also advocated for the creation of a National Coral Reef Recovery and Conservation Program, which would be crucial in protecting the coasts from natural disasters.

Segura concluded by stating, "It is imperative that we have these federal programs specifically dedicated to addressing the impact of climate change. I propose that we urge the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) to implement urgent actions for the recovery and conservation of our beaches in coordination with coastal state and municipal governments."