International News: Mexico expands efforts to transform and manage Sargassum

By Zoila Palma:  Mexico is expanding efforts to manage the growing accumulation of sargassum along its Caribbean coast, with authorities promoting sustainable uses of the macroalgae while advancing the restoration of coastal ecosystems.

Through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the government is supporting circular-economy projects aimed at transforming sargassum into bioinputs and water-treatment systems.

SEMARNAT Deputy Minister of Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration Marina Robles recently visited the Center for Water and Algae Technologies and Sciences at the Yucatán Scientific and Technological Park and the Marine Strategic Implementations Plant.

The facilities have the capacity to process up to 20,000 tonnes of sargassum and other organic materials into products such as bioinputs and water-treatment systems.

Robles proposed greater cooperation among SEMARNAT, the Ministry of the Navy and local communities, including increased involvement from the fishing sector in developing sargassum harvesting strategies.

She also suggested financing mechanisms, including potential preferential loans from public or private banks, to support sargassum-processing projects and new value chains. So far this year, 83,137 tonnes of sargassum have been collected along Mexico’s Caribbean coast, including 30,021 tonnes in Playa del Carmen and 20,469 tonnes in Cancún.

The continuing influx of sargassum has created challenges for tourism destinations, as decomposing algae can discolor seawater and produce strong odors.

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