Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — An average of 1,700 tons of sargassum has been collected so far this year off the coast of Playa del Carmen. Municipal environmental authorities say this figure is comparable to the amount collected at this time last year.
Samanta Álvarez, the Secretary of the Environment for the municipality of Playa del Carmen, says after reviewing the first three months of the year, the arrival amount is similar to last year with only slight variations.
“By the numbers, we’re pretty much on par with what was collected last year. We’re collecting approximately 1,700 tons. The previous administration, during the same period, reported around 1,500. There hasn’t been a significant change,” Álvarez explained.
The Secretary said a lower collection figure was reported in February 2024, a figure that was slightly higher in February of this year, but still considered within the usual range.
These collection efforts have been carried out primarily on the beaches in the city center where brigades from the Federal Maritime Land Zone (Zofemat) work daily to keep the beaches clean, she said.
Álvarez reiterated that the amount of sargassum that washes up on the coast varies from month to month, so constant surveillance is being maintained. The Navy has not yet needed to install any sargassum barriers off the coast of Playa del Carmen.
