Playa del Carmen mayor launches 2026 Sargassum Challenge

Mayor Estefanía Mercado of Playa del Carmen announced the “Reto Sargazo 2026” (2026 Sargassum Challenge), urging businesses, hotels, civil groups and residents to join beach‑cleaning efforts as the region faces an anticipated influx of more than 35,000 tons of sargassum this season.

The municipal government reported that about 14,000 tons have already been removed from public beaches, with roughly 320 personnel from the Navy, ZOFEMAT and the city working daily. Barriers spanning over 2.5 km have been installed along the coast, and another 2.5 km are planned to further protect the shoreline. ZOFEMAT director Irving Rafael Lili Madrigal noted the variable behavior of the seaweed, requiring additional reinforcement of cleanup crews.

The campaign aims to raise citizen awareness, increase participation in coastal stewardship, and preserve tourism‑related beach use along the Riviera Maya.