On land, the impact is alarming. In May alone, civil, municipal, and naval brigades removed more than 1,465 tons of sargassum from Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum, and Cozumel. However, these efforts have proven insufficient against the constant advance of the algae tide. Eight municipalities in Quintana Roo have declared red alerts and activated emergency protocols to contain, collect, and properly dispose of the sargassum.
In an effort to mitigate the phenomenon, the state government has installed approximately 9,500 meters of floating barriers, deployed eleven navy vessels and twenty-two smaller boats, and implemented monitoring efforts across 48 beaches. However, the use of heavy machinery to remove the algae is also causing sand erosion, complicating coastal recovery efforts.
The economic consequences are already being felt. Hoteliers in Puerto Morelos report an increase in cancellations, while fishermen in Mahahual have seen their activities come to a standstill. The combination of contaminated beaches, foul odors, and diminished visual appeal is deterring visitors at a time when the region should be enjoying the peak of the tourist season.
In response, travel agencies and authorities are advising visitors to check official sargassum monitoring sites, consider destinations such as Isla Mujeres or Isla Contoy—which have been less affected—and opt for accommodations equipped with marine barriers or inner lagoons that minimize exposure to the algae. Despite these alternatives, some tourists are rescheduling their trips or choosing other less exposed coasts.
From a scientific perspective, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) warns that 2025 could become the most severe year on record. Researchers such as Brigitta Ine van Tussenbroek highlight that under ideal conditions, sargassum can double its biomass in just five and a half days. Furthermore, the excessive accumulation of nutrients from large rivers like the Amazon and Orinoco, along with rising ocean temperatures, fosters the rampant growth of these algae.
To confront this challenge, the scientific community has developed satellite detection technologies that help anticipate the arrival of sargassum mats, enabling better decision-making on containment measures. Specialists are also exploring innovative alternatives such as using microorganisms to degrade sargassum offshore, although these proposals are still being debated due to their potential side effects.
The dilemma deepens when considering that under beaches covered by sargassum, hypoxia and anoxia processes occur, leading to diseases in marine fauna and the death of seagrasses and corals. The loss of these ecosystems further increases the risk of coastal erosion, depriving beaches of their natural protective structure.
Given the magnitude of the challenge, authorities and experts agree on the need for comprehensive public policies, inter-institutional coordination, sustainable investments, and greater offshore surveillance. It is essential to combine containment strategies, research, and development to protect not only tourism—the economic engine of the Mexican Caribbean—but also the ecosystems that sustain its wealth. The historic sargassum invasion of 2025 is an urgent call to act with vision, innovation, and environmental commitment.
