To comprehensively address the challenge of sargassum, the Municipality of Solidaridad (Quintana Roo) will seek initiatives to utilize the algae in different sectors, as an important step towards environmental sustainability.
The municipality’s Secretary of Sustainable Environment and Climate Change, Lourdes Várguez, reported that this year they will test the equipment developed in Germany specifically to utilize sargassum as a source of fuel and charcoal.
This innovation represents a significant effort to tackle the problem and find useful applications for this abundant resource. “Currently, it is being used as a soil fertilizer, but this year we hope to take it a step further,” the official said.
The secretary highlighted that 26,400 tons of sargassum were collected last year, and more than 13,000 tons of sand were also recovered.
She also anticipated that the amount that will be harvested from the 2024 seaweed season will be similar. For this reason, she said she is working with the Navy to install anti-sargassum barriers before it starts to arrive.
Likewise, she announced an increase in the number of staff involved in collecting seaweed from the beaches. Around 180 people will be working on this task. She also plans to deploy additional machinery to improve efficiency in sargassum management.
Is Climate Change Responsible For Sargassum Seaweed in Mexico?
Climate change is considered a significant factor contributing to the proliferation of sargassum seaweed in Mexico.
The increase in ocean temperatures and changes in sea currents, alongside nutrient enrichment from agricultural runoff and sewage, create conditions favorable for sargassum blooms.
While not the sole cause, climate change exacerbates the issue by affecting weather patterns and ocean conditions, thus playing a crucial role in the frequency and magnitude of sargassum seaweed occurrences.