by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:15 AM ET, Sun September 13, 2026
More than 124,000 tons of sargassum have been removed from
beaches across Mexico’s Caribbean coast this year, with roughly two months
remaining in the 2026 seaweed season.
According to Mexico’s Ministry of Environment via Riviera Maya News, 124,852 tons of sargassum were collected
from Quintana Roo beaches between April and August, 29,000 tons more than the
area removed during the same period last year.
Playa del Carmen was the hardest-hit destination, with
42,063 tons of seaweed collected, followed by Cancun at 29,899 tons, Puerto
Morelos at 17,111 tons, and Tulum at 16,471 tons.
Mahahual and Xcalak recorded a combined 14,013 tons, while
Isla Mujeres had 3,877 tons, and Cozumel reported 1,375 tons collected so far
this year.
Authorities have continued efforts to keep the seaweed from
reaching popular beaches, including installing 12,855 meters of offshore
barriers. State and municipal crews have removed 71,864 tons, while Mexico’s
Navy has collected another 52,988 tons.
The annual sargassum season typically begins around April
and runs through October.
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