Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Sargassum is being addressed by local authorities on the heels of its inevitable arrival. Although only minimal amounts have been detected on Mahahual beaches, officials have already begun the preparation phase.
With the arrival of sargassum season approaching, Governor Mara Lezama reported that in coordination with the Navy (SEMAR), civil society and municipal mayors, preparations are already in place to deal with it.
The Governor highlighted that the preparatory actions are framed within the Strategy for Addressing Sargassum in which SEMAR plays a fundamental role through the Mexican Navy.
Mara Lezama highlighted the importance of this Strategy in Quintana Roo, considering that tourism is the driving force of the state’s economy that generates shared prosperity for Quintana Roo families.
Keeping beaches free of sargassum allows consolidating success in the New Era of Tourism.
SEMAR reported that, according to monitoring carried out by the Oceanographic Institute of the Gulf and Caribbean Sea, with support from the University of South Florida, the cycle of the presence of algae on the coasts of Quintana Roo is from April to October.
The Strategy includes attention to the collection of waste during this period which will concluded at the beginning of November. The maintenance and preparation of equipment and personnel involved in these tasks has begun.
The Sargassum Response Strategy carried out by SEMAR and in coordination with the state government, addresses 47 of the main beaches with the greatest influx of tourists in Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Mahahual.
SEMAR says that response strategy includes four phases.
- Preparation – In this phase, maintenance and preparation of the infrastructure is carried out, such as sargassum vessels, containment and collection means, smaller vessels and preparation of personnel.
- Detection – Satellite monitoring and maritime surveillance are carried out.
- Containment – Phase in which containment barriers are installed and sargassum vessels are used, as well as all actions aimed at mitigating the amount of algae that reaches the beaches.
- Collection – Task of collecting sargassum in shallow waters and delivering it to the municipal authority.
SEMAR reported that the Preparation phase is currently being implemented, preparing personnel and material in order to guarantee constant attention to the landings of this macroalgae, prioritizing the commitment to keep the beaches clean, contributing to a marine environment free of sargassum, in the event of the arrival of the seaweed.
The Secretariat of the Navy through the Mexican Navy, by means of the Naval Region of Islas Mujeres, reaffirms its commitment to permanently implement actions that contribute to reducing the arrival of sargassum on the beaches of the Mexican Caribbean by providing the necessary resources in coordination with the agencies of the three levels of government and civil society.
Governor Mara Lezama highlighted the work and coordination of SEMAR and the Mexican Navy, as well as the participation of municipal authorities, civil society and the general public in the face of this phenomenon that occurs annually on the coasts of Quintana Roo and the Caribbean in general.
