Mexico launches strategy to manage record sargassum levels

Mexico has introduced a new strategy to manage the massive influx of sargassum affecting Caribbean beaches, following reports that sargassum biomass in the Mexican Caribbean reached a record 3.5 million tons in July 2026. This represents a 46% increase compared to the same month in 2025, according to researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

The government's plan involves a multi-agency effort including the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), and the Secretariat of Tourism. Key measures include offshore collection using specialized vessels, the installation of containment barriers near hotel zones, and the transport of the seaweed to recycling centers for industrial use.

To promote a circular economy, sargassum was added to the National Fishing Charter in 2025 as a resource with development potential. This allows for its transformation into fertilizers, biofuels, bioplastics, textiles, and construction materials. The Circular Economy Development Pole (PODECIBI) in Puerto Morelos will play a central role in these industrial processes.

While the government is deploying a fleet of ships and drones, scientific experts warn that offshore collection is costly and limited in effectiveness. Specialists recommend an integrated approach including satellite monitoring and coastal barriers to mitigate the ecological damage to reefs, mangroves, and marine life caused by oxygen depletion during seaweed decomposition.