Playa Del Carmen Beaches Battle Another Sea Threat Ahead Of Seaweed Season

Playa Del Carmen Beaches Battle Another Threat Ahead Of Seaweed Season

Changes in winds and currents in the sea have brought the season of the “Portuguese Frigate,” a jellyfish better known as Agua Mala (Bad Water in Spanish), to the coasts of Solidaridad. Four cases of bites have been reported, according to a Civil Protection Lifeguard.

The official mentioned that these animals are mainly found in the beach area of Punta Esmeralda, where there have been recent tropical storms. For this reason, it was necessary to prohibit bathers from accessing the sea to prevent them from being harmed by the jellyfish. 

He recommended that if you go to a beach, contact the lifeguards to get information about the kind of harmful fauna that exists in the region, so you can take precautions and know what to do if you are stung by this animal.

Another species that you should keep in mind when traveling to Mexico is the annoying Sargassum. Read on to see what it is and when it arrives on Mexican shores.

What Is Sargassum?

Sargassum is a type of brown seaweed that appears seasonally on the beaches of Mexico and Florida. When it decomposes, it releases hydrogen sulfide, a substance with a foul odor reminiscent of rotten eggs. While the seaweed poses no direct health risks, the small sea creatures that live in Sargassum can cause skin irritation and blisters.

When Does The Sargassum Seaweed Season Starts?

Sargassum season forecast in Mexico usually lasts from April to October, when it lands on the beaches of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The main season, which varies each year, takes place in the later summer months.