Mahahual, Q.R. — The creation of a sargassum committee is on the minds of Mahahual authorities as the algae begins to appear a bit earlier than normal. With the beginning stages of the arrival of sargassum, officials will create the committee this year in March, rather than the usual April timing.
Alondra Martinez Flores, city council director of Environment and Ecology, says the Secretariat of the Navy has informed them of the existence of patches of algae off the coasts of Mahahual and Xcalak.
She says that this sighting is being added to the algae that has already landed on their shores. Martinez Flores said that although the sargassum has begun to arrive earlier than expected, they anticipate the season to be similar to that of last year, which was minimal and manageable amounts. Unlike 2019, when she noted, their coastal region experienced a large arrival of sargassum.
“The navy sends us weekly reports, and they indicate that the amount of sargassum is not as significant as in 2019,” she said.
This year, with its early arrival, the committee for sargassum management will begin March 3. She says sargassum management for Mahahual will include the Secretary of the Navy as well as the mayor and a delegate from Xcalak.