Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — For the second time this month, Marina personnel were deployed to remove out-of-season sargassum from the coast. On Monday, Playa del Carmen woke to approximately 1,000 tons of sargazo that had washed up over night and accumulated in a central cove.
The seaweed was concentrated in the cove of Playa El Recodo in central Playa del Carmen, a site that is often heavily affected by seaweed.
On site workers sent to clear the sargassum estimated 1,000 tons had made landfall overnight due to winds. A cleaning crew of more than two dozen spent a good part of the day pitchforking the seaweed from the water and sandy areas.
That particular beach requires manual clearing due to the extreme erosion which prevents heavy machinery from being used to aid with removal.
Playa El Recodo was the only beach area along the coast affected by the second heavy out-of-season arrival of sargassum. There were no reports of excessive seaweed arrivals on any other beaches.
The only area affected in Playa del Carmen ran from 12th Street to 16th toward Constituyentes Avenue. In those four-plus blocks, around 1,000 tons of sargassum clung to the cove.
Marina and Zofemat (municipal workers) were sent to clear it. Fishermen with boats moored in the area also joined in the efforts.
The brigade of sargazo cleaners were able to work until around 1:30 p.m. when heavy rains began. Cold front 30 delayed the complete removal of the seaweed due to the arrival of cold air that caused very heavy rain and strong winds for the remainder of the day.
