As the Easter holiday season approaches, local businesses and residents are growing increasingly concerned about the massive influx of sargassum on Tulum’s beaches. To mitigate this issue, the Secretary of the Navy (Semar) personnel have been preparing to install anti-sargassum barriers along 1.5 kilometers of coastline from Mangle Beach to Santa Fe.
However, despite the arrival of the necessary materials and equipment last Friday, March 28, the installation process has yet to begin due to a delay in receiving complete equipment and tools. This situation is causing tension among tourism service providers who rely on clean beaches for their business.
In recent weeks, sargassum washout has become a significant problem in Tulum. The Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat) has been working diligently to keep the beaches clean, collecting an impressive 443 tons of sargassum in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
This issue is not only affecting tourism but also local business owners who are expressing their discontent over the delay and sometimes the extended storage period on the beaches before installation. The installation of these barriers is seen as a necessary step to protect Tulum’s tourist image, which heavily relies on the cleanliness and attractiveness of its beaches.
The situation has become so dire that it has already impacted at least 60 nautical service providers on El Recodo beach in Playa del Carmen. The port was also closed due to strong winds, further exacerbating the problem.
Semar personnel and vessels are currently working on installing barriers at other coastal locations in Quintana Roo before focusing on Tulum. The installation of these barriers is a crucial step towards improving beach cleanliness and protecting the tourism industry in the area.
Source: Reportur
