Riviera Maya Begins Sargassum Seaweed Season Preparations

Riviera Maya officials have begun preparing for the annual arrival of sargassum, a species of seaweed that grows in the Caribbean and, in spring through autumn, washes up in great numbers along the coast of Mexico. 

According to Riviera Maya News, Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama announced new measures to deal with the annoyance, including coordination between local mayors, civil leaders and the Navy, as part of the Strategy for Addressing Sargassum. 

Sargassum season runs from April to October, when it grows rapidly in warm Caribbean waters. By the end of the 2024 sargassum season in November, the state of Quintana Roo reported collecting 37,000 tons of seaweed—a lower number than in previous years when warming waters encouraged larger sargassum blooms. 

A warming climate has added stress to mitigation and cleanup efforts, as warmer waters typically mean more sargassum for officials to clean off beaches to ensure an enjoyable experience for tourists and residents.

The plan includes cleaning 47 main beaches in Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Mahahual and Playa del Carmen, the most frequently visited by tourists. 

Under the plan, officials prepare sargassum vessels and containment units, detect offshore sargassum blooms with satellites and place barriers around the beaches to help prevent sargassum from washing ashore during this season. Sargassum is collected in shallow waters before being washed ashore and removed.