Mexico Adding Seaweed Barriers To Another Popular Tourist Hotspot In The Caribbean

Mexico Adding Seaweed Barriers To Another Popular Tourist Hotspot In The Caribbean

To continue the fight against the invasive algae, the government of Quintana Roo has erected barriers against Sargassum in the municipality of Tulum.

According to Governor of Quintana Roo, Carlos Joaquin, 600 meters of barriers have already been installed off the coast of Tulum and another 1,700 meters will be added over the next eight to ten days.

The first of eight amphibious bands designed to stop the seaweed has been purchased and installed by the Secretary of the Navy. 

The barriers will be erected in areas where sargassum builds up, and the structures will be used for quick collection.

Two of the authorized amphibious bands, according to Joaquin Gonzalez, have been allocated to Cancun, two to Playa del Carmen, two to Cozumel, and one to Mahahual.

Admiral Alejandro López Zenteno, Secretary of the Navy, stated to the Riviera Maya news that “the current climatic conditions have generated a drop in sargassum reaching state beaches,” despite the fact that numerous locations have reported an inflow of seaweed since earlier this year.

Mexico Seaweed Barriers

A sargassum vessel was also installed in the area to help with cleanup in addition to the barriers.

To prevent tourists from leaving the area due to the unfavorable conditions, the hotel sector along Mexico’s Caribbean coast asked the federal government to step up collection of sargassum in June.

According to news reports, Jesus Almaguer, head of the Hotel Association of Cancun, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres, believes the government can do more to prevent the arrival of the seaweed.