Sargassum Disrupts Lobster Fishery in María Elena, Mexico

More than 50 fishermen in the coastal community of María Elena (also referred to as Punta María Elena) are experiencing sharp declines in lobster catches after massive accumulations of sargassum stranded on the shoreline. The algae blocks small vessels, damages traditional traps, depletes oxygen in the water and forces lobsters to deeper, rougher seas, raising fuel costs and risking safety.

The season, which began in July 2024 and runs to February 2027, saw about nine tonnes of lobster harvested in the first five months, but production is projected to drop to roughly four and a half tonnes by late 2025. Cooperative secretary Pablo Catzin Pech noted, “Nosotros no exportamos, nosotros desde aquí lo mandamos y ellos son los que exportan,” underscoring the community’s reliance on the fishery for income. Fishermen have erected temporary decks to reach their boats, but the measure is insufficient.

Local authorities have approved a project to contain the sargassum, yet implementation remains pending. The cooperatives are urging state and federal fisheries agencies for financial aid, new gear, and temporary employment to offset the losses experienced within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.