Riviera Maya, Q.R. — A lesser amount of sargassum is expected for the 2023 season. According to studies by the National Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Inapesca) and the Interdisciplinary Center for Marine Sciences (Cicimar), during 2023, a lower amount of sargassum is forecast to arrive on Mexican beaches.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported on the studies which analyze the behavior of the volumes and/or biomass of two species of sargassum: S. natans and S. fluitans, which have shown explosive growth since 2011.
The agency explained that these studies have focused on the relationship between the behavior in the greater Caribbean area with the accumulated quantities off the coast of Quintana Roo, those close to the coast, and those that arrive on state beaches.
Jaime González Cano, a specialist from the Aquaculture and Fisheries Research Center (CRIAP) of Puerto Morelos, says that contrary to what has been reported, the analyzes have allowed them to forecast a decrease in sargassum biomass for the 2023 season with the possibility of seeing levels comparable to 2019.
González Cano clarified that atmospheric conditions and the behavior of ocean currents are important factors in the influx and displacement of macroalgae along the coast of Quintana Roo.
Given this, he says it is still recommended that municipalities take preventive measures to deal with the sargassum that could make landfall, while others continue with scientific studies to establish more uses for sargassum.
At the moment, two companies in the state are using sargassum. One company makes bricks to build modest homes for those in need, while the other producers organic fertilizer.
