Mexico and Spain partner on Caribbean sargassum management

Mexico and Spain have launched a joint research and sustainable collection project to address the accumulation of sargassum in the Mexican Caribbean. The initiative aims to improve macroalgae collection, study its behavior, and develop methods for its sustainable use as a resource.

The project is being implemented by the Mexican Institute of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (IMIPAS) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). It will utilize oceanographic and bathymetric data to identify concentration zones, track movement, and determine optimal collection conditions.

A key focus of the alliance is to mitigate the environmental and economic impacts of sargassum on fishing, tourism, and navigation. The project involves active participation from coastal communities, including fishermen and tourism service providers, to ensure that collection efforts do not negatively affect marine ecosystems or local livelihoods.