Akumal, Q.R. — Residents around Akumal Bay woke up Thursday morning to a freshly arrived batch of sargassum. The bay was left with a mat of seaweed that had quietly landed over night.
Dozens of local residents spent the morning clearing sargassum from the water after boat owners found their vessels landlocked in seaweed.
Local Akumal boat owner Manuel Jiménez said he had never seen such a large landing at one time before Thursday.
According to Jiménez, although Tulum City Council had been notified of its arrival, the community took it upon themselves to start the sargassum removal. Dozens of volunteers, including other Akumal boat owners, spent the morning working to clear it from the bay.
Akumal Delegate Antonio Sosa said due to the amount that arrived, however, volunteers were unable to clear it all away.
“They worked but they couldn’t remove all the sargassum because there was too much. It’s very strange because sargassum has arrived before, but not in this quantity,” he explained, adding that Tulum beach crews would finish the job.
Zofemat crews were expected in Akumal Bay Friday to clear what remained.
Tulum Zofemat brigades also cleared seaweed from the hotel zone after a large clump made landfall Tuesday morning. Containers have been placed along the coastal area for easier disposal as it arrives.
The state started with the installation of anti-sargassum barriers in February ahead of the official season, however, strong winds have played a role in delaying its completion.
