Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The Navy says they are working in coordination with government authorities on the state’s Sargassum Response Strategy. To date, over 39,500 tons of seaweed has already been collected.
The Mexican Navy, responsible for both on-shore and at-sea sargassum collection, is utilizing satellite images to monitor its arrival. With the images, they are able to get an overview of the sargassum floating in the Atlantic.
This early warning system, strengthened through inter-institutional coordination, allows the Navy to carry out strategic containment and cleanup actions along the coastlines.
Not only does this keep beaches clean, it also protects natural resources and the marine environment.
The Navy says “the actions are maintained permanently in their different stages: preparation, deployment, collection and withdrawal of the same.”
According to the Secretaría de Marina, more than 39,500 tons of sargassum has been collected between the government and public sectors as of May 17. Continued efforts are being made on beaches in Isla Mujeres, Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Mahahual.
“To this end, 13 surface units have been deployed consisting of one ocean-going Sargassum Collection Vessel, 11 coastal Sargassum Collection Vessels, and one amphibious Sargassum Collection Vessel,” the Navy said.
Sargassum removal efforts also include “18 smaller support vessels, over 7,605 meters of installed containment barriers and monitoring by underwater operations personnel.”
Simultaneously, naval personnel, state government staff, and municipal employees are using pitchforks and wheelbarrows to remove the sargazo from the coast.
Authorities say the state’s Sargassum Management Strategy is a permanently ongoing effort to maintain clean beaches.
