Current Seaweed Condition in Cozumel: Measures Taken to Keep the Beaches Clean

The Mexican Navy is taking measures to prevent the arrival of sargassum on the beaches of Cozumel. The Coordinator for the Strategy of Attention to Sargasso, José Ángel Pérez Pérez, has announced that they have already started monitoring the movement of sargassum in the Caribbean Sea to anticipate its arrival. In case of need, they will use machinery for cleaning, subject to the results of the marine current studies.

According to Pérez Pérez, this year, approximately 25,653 tons of sargassum have been detected in the high seas, which indicates a behavior similar to the last five years. To keep the beaches clean, the Navy is coordinating with all the parties involved in this issue, including the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (Sema) and the State and Municipal Governments.

Pérez Pérez said that they are already evaluating strategies to contain sargassum on the coasts of the island, particularly on the eastern coast where the volume is usually higher. He explained that they will use conveyor belts as they did last year to facilitate collection in less time.

The Secretariat of the Mexican Navy (Semar) is responsible for sargassum statistics and forecasts through marine current studies, machinery facilitation, and monitoring the displacement of the material. Based on the studies of the Oceanographic Center, they have predicted a similar year to the previous ones (2019-2022) from March to September, with an almost equal amount of recale expected.

The Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (Sema) is working on a regulation regarding the handling of this material, which could benefit not only Cozumel but also other municipalities affected by the phenomenon.

The State Government will provide the financial and material resources to acquire the necessary logistical means, while the municipal governments will remove the sargassum from the beaches and transfer it to a designated final disposal area.

In conclusion, tourists can rest assured that the Mexican Navy is taking steps to ensure the beaches remain as clean as possible. They are monitoring the movement of the sargassum, and in case of need, they will use machinery for cleaning. Strategies are being evaluated to contain the sargassum on the coasts, and the Secretariat of Ecology and Environment is working on a regulation to handle this material.