Mexico battles record sargassum levels in the Caribbean

Mexico is facing a significant environmental challenge as sargassum seaweed reaches record levels in the Caribbean. Scientists and authorities have noted that 2026 is expected to be an atypical and difficult year, with sargassum quantities reaching levels 27 times higher than the historical average due to warming seas and nutrient-rich waters.

To combat the influx, the Mexican government has deployed collection boats, floating barriers, and cleaning brigades. Authorities have already removed more than 96,000 metric tons of seaweed this year. There is an increasing focus on turning this biomass into economic opportunities, such as biofuel and fertilizer, to support the coastal tourism economy.

Despite these efforts, critics point to a lack of a unified national management system and highlight a divergence between technical recommendations and political execution. While specialists suggest intercepting the seaweed in the marine zone before it hits the shore, much of the current effort remains focused on costly deep-sea collection and beach cleaning, which addresses the symptoms rather than the arrival itself.