Overview

• Seasonal currents and winds have diverted much of the record sargassum bloom toward Cancún and Isla Mujeres after easing accumulations in southern Quintana Roo.
• This season’s influx is projected to wash ashore roughly 80,000 tonnes of seaweed, of which Semar has collected about 60,800 tonnes using a fleet that can harvest up to 500 tonnes per day.
• Floating containment barriers cover just 1% of the coastline in tourist hotspots, leaving most coastal communities without protection against fresh landings.
• Decomposing seaweed drives ‘brown tides’ that deplete oxygen, acidify waters and contribute to mass die-offs of fish and other marine species.
• Toxic gases released by rotting sargassum, notably hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and methane, are causing foul odors, respiratory irritation and groundwater contamination concerns.