Sargassum regulation, a pending task of the state and Semarnat

A couple of vessels from the Ministry of the Navy have been on the coast of Quintana Roo since last Sunday to activate the third phase of attention to the sargassum problem. 

On the one hand we have the vessel “NATANS” that can store up to 250 tons of algae, and on the other “El Huasteco” that is able to carry out its collection work in the swell. Both will be in a first front both in Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen to subsequently take action from a point on the high seas.

It is expected that citizens can have access to how this work is carried out, since according to the website Novedades, Semarnat has published new guidelines for the collection, treatment and final disposal of sargassum algae that reaches the beaches of Quintana Roo.

The eyes of the authorities are looking to gather information about the volume of sargassum that is affecting the Riviera Maya, so far they have detected 15 beaches that are completely free of sargassum. Others are a little more affected and it is unknown where the sargassum will go once it is collected.

Demand is growing, regulation is needed

Both citizens and politicians have an interest in preserving beaches, and the issue has been brought to the table even by scientists, biologists and environmentalists. 

Recently, José Luis Guilén, president of the commission in charge of dealing with sargassum, said that the federal agency lacks the will to share information, “They are not very open on the subject, in fact it has been very difficult for us to integrate with the commission”, he accused.

Guilén, also a congressman, is seeking to create an official Mexican standard of handling sargassum so that everything is properly regulated. With this, he seeks to clarify the final treatment given to the seaweed and the costs involved in the collection process. He added that the cost of such regulation ranges from two to three million pesos.

With information from Agencia SIM