Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Mexico's Navy prepares for major sargassum arrival in December
Mexico's Navy says a large sargassum arrival is expected in late December in the Mexican Caribbean.
The preparations cover seven municipalities in Quintana Roo, including Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Sargassum is seaweed that washes onto beaches, and its recurring arrivals create a challenge for authorities during a busy holiday period for tourists.
More than 156,600 tonnes have been collected this year, with over 70,230 tonnes removed through the Navy's work at sea and on land.
The Navy says its share is already greater than the 18,500 tonnes it collected in all of 2025.
The Navy plans to use vessels, barriers and beach crews to collect the seaweed, working with government agencies and local authorities.
Satellite monitoring will help track its movement so crews can collect it at sea and clean affected beaches.
Mexico’s Navy warned of a major sargassum arrival in the Mexican Caribbean in late December.
Naval personnel are preparing to clean beaches in seven municipalities in Quintana Roo during the year-end holiday season.
The Navy said it has collected more than 156,600 tonnes of sargassum so far this year, including more than 70,230 tonnes through its own work at sea and on land.
Its collection equipment includes 11 coastal sargassum vessels, one ocean-going vessel, three amphibious vessels and 13,560 metres of containment barriers.
- Who
- Mexico’s Navy, known as Semar, is preparing to collect sargassum.
- What
- The Navy warned of a major sargassum arrival and said it will carry out cleanup work.
- When
- The arrival is expected in late December 2026.
- Where
- The Mexican Caribbean, in the Quintana Roo municipalities of Isla Mujeres, Benito Juárez, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum and Othón P. Blanco.
- Why
- To keep beaches clean during the year-end holiday season and prepare for tourists.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A total of 92,782 tonnes of sargassum was removed, including more than 18,500 tonnes attributed to the Navy’s work at sea and on land.
The Navy warned of a major sargassum arrival in the Mexican Caribbean in December.
The Navy expects sargassum to be present in the region.
- Expected arrival
- Late December 2026
- Municipalities named
- Isla Mujeres, Benito Juárez, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum and Othón P. Blanco
- Sargassum collected this year
- More than 156,600 tonnes
- Navy’s share of this year’s collection
- More than 70,230 tonnes, or 45%
- Coastal sargassum vessels
- 11, each with a 20-tonne collection capacity
- Containment barriers
- 13,560 metres
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What people are saying
This figure exceeds the 18,500 tonnes, equivalent to 20%, of the 92,782 tonnes removed throughout 2025