Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. — Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado led a tour of Fundadores and Playacar beaches on Thursday. The tour was to verify the beach cleaning progress of the joint operation with the Ministry of the Navy (SEMAR) and Zofemat (Federal Maritime-Terrestrial Zone).
Accompanied by Rear Admiral Topiltzin Tlacaeletl Flores Jaramillo, Coordinator of the SEMAR Sargassum Containment Strategy, Mercado acknowledged the daily efforts of more than 120 naval elements, Zofemat personnel and municipal public servants who begin the daily intensive cleanup at dawn.
“I wanted to come and thank you from the front because this titanic job you do every day not only protects our beaches, but also our economy and our future. Thank you to the Navy, to Zofemat and to every person who puts their hands and heart into this task,” the Mayor said.
The operation is carried out in two phases: an initial phase of early manual harvesting followed by the transfer and final disposal of the sargassum using specialized machinery. This has allowed up to 80 percent of the algae that has reached the coast this season to be contained.
During the visit, Mayor Mercado reported that as much as 200 tons is currently collected daily from Playa del Carmen beaches. Clearing the beaches creates an economic boost for tourism and the destination’s image.
“We are working tirelessly. Our priority is clear, to protect the coastline, our beaches, and our people. And this would not be possible without the full support of our heroes and heroines of the Navy and Zofemat,” she said.
Mayor Mercado called on citizens to join the crusade for coastal cleanup. “Sargassum is a challenge we face together. From here, I invite the entire community to join us, to take care of our beaches and to recognize the enormous effort behind every meter of clean coastline.”
This operation is part of Estefanía Mercado’s new government model, which promotes concrete actions on the ground, closeness to the people and measurable results to transform Playa del Carmen with a vision for the future.
