Efforts to Keep Isla Mujeres Beaches Clean and Sargassum-Free for Tourists
Discover the latest efforts to keep Isla Mujeres' beaches clean and free of sargassum to maintain its position as a top tourist destination. Read about the actions being taken to combat the arrival of sargassum and the tools and equipment being used to keep the beaches in top condition.
If you're looking for information on current seaweed conditions in Isla Mujeres, you'll be happy to know that according to the State Sargasso Monitoring Semaphore, the beaches are currently clean, tidy, and free of sargassum as of March 25, 2023.
This is due to the joint effort and work of the municipal president, Atenea Gómez, the Zofemat staff, and state and federal authorities. The mayor of Isla Mujeres has made it a priority to keep the beaches free of seaweed, as it is the main tourist attraction of the area. They are also maintaining constant monitoring to address the possibility of an atypical arrival of sargassum to the sands of Isla Mujeres promptly.
Although the official sargassum arrival season ended in November, there has been an atypical seaweed arrival that brought forward its arrival by two months, with sargassum continuing to arrive as of mid-January. As a result, Antonio de Jesús Delgado González, the director of the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) of Isla Mujeres, announced that cleaning efforts are being strengthened on the beaches of the municipality, including Playa Norte, Playa Centro, Playa Pet, Playa La Guadalupana, and Playa La Media Luna, which are the most affected by sargassum.
Zofemat personnel clean Playa Norte and Playa Centro from five in the morning until eleven in the morning, as these beaches are the most popular among tourists, while the rest are cleaned every week according to a predetermined schedule. Isla Mujeres has a total of eight beaches, including Playa Centro, Playa Norte, Playa Media Luna, Playa Bachilleres, Playa Chiapanecos, Playa Pet (for dogs), Playa La Guadalupana, and a beach in front of the Transfer Zone.
To efficiently and effectively combat the arrival of sargassum, cleaning activities are being reinforced with a greater number of tools and equipment. Nearly 400 tons of sargassum have been collected from January to date, and 60 locations have been opened this year, with an estimated 40 more to open in April for a total of 100 locations. Most of the cleaning work is being done at Punta Sam in the continental zone, while Isla Blanca is being cleaned at a slower pace because few people visit there because of its location.
Sources: islamujeres.gob.mx and Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo de Quintana Roo
