Royal Caribbean removes nearly 1,000 tons of sargassum in Mahahual

Royal Caribbean Group has completed the first phase of a pilot sargassum management program in Mahahual, Mexico. Over a five-month period, the company collected 977 metric tons of the macroalgae from the reef lagoon to prevent it from reaching the coastline.

In collaboration with the local organization ‘Menos Plástico es Fantástico’, the initiative utilized 3,054 collection nets and produced 560 sacks of dried sargassum. The collected material is being evaluated for potential reuse as an alternative to plastics. During the operation, crews also documented various marine species, including sargassum crabs, juvenile triggerfish, sargassum shrimp, and sargassum toadfish.

The program, which focused heavily on the El Quebrado area, is entering a second phase through November that will include an additional vessel for water collection and expanded cleaning activities in the navigation channel.

Separately, Mexico’s Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Bárcena, reported that between 40 and 90 thousand tons of sargassum are currently floating in the Caribbean Sea, with approximately 10% reaching Mexican coasts, particularly in Quintana Roo. She emphasized the need for a coordinated regional response and announced an international meeting in Cancún to address the issue.