Tulum, Q.R. — The amount of sargassum reaching Tulum beaches has increased significantly already this year. Federal officials are saying the increase registered is around 50 percent more than last year.
Juan Antonio Garza, the Municipal Director of the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat), says the collection of sargassum in Tulum has increased by just over 50 percent during the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
He reported that in January and February of 2024, 36 and 50 tons of sargassum were collected respectively. Already this year, they have collected over 130 tones. According to Antonio Garza, in January, Zofemat personnel collected 79 tons and in February, another 59 tons.
Antonio Garza says there is a general forecast for an increase in sargassum this year, something that is already affecting the coasts of Tulum. The Zofemat head said that his team, made up of more than 50 people, is dedicated to the daily collection of sargassum in various protected natural areas of Tulum such as the Tulum National Park, Punta Piedra and Akumal.
He added that coordination with state and federal authorities is key to jointly addressing this contingency that affects the entire state of Quintana Roo.
He stressed that there is a collective effort to mitigate the ecological and economic impact of sargassum, since its accumulation on beaches not only damages marine ecosystems, but also affects the tourism industry by creating a bad image of the coasts.
The official is confident that with the collaboration of all levels of government and the constant work of his team, Tulum will be able to continue facing this challenge and maintain the beauty of its beaches.
