The case of Mexico

The first record of a massive arrival of sargassum in the waters of the Mexican Caribbean was in 2011.[1]​ In the summer of 2013 in the Mexican Caribbean, the arrival of atypical quantities of this macroalgae to the coasts was reported. This continued sporadically over the following months, until, at the end of 2014 and throughout 2015, this situation became constant. In 2018 Spencer Tunick visited Tulum "Tulum (Quintana Roo)") and disseminated photographs as an effort to make visible the problem represented by the accumulation of sargassum on Mexican beaches.[1]​.

During 2020, the Semar "Secretaría de Marina (Mexico)") collected 19,054 tons compared to 2019, a record year where 85,495 tons of sargassum were extracted, according to data from the secretariat.[8]​ According to 2019 figures, keeping a private beach clean costs a luxury complex like the Zoetry hotel in Cancun. $350,000 a year. Between March and July 2021, that is, in five months, the federal Secretary of the Navy collected 21 thousand tons of these brown algae; 3 thousand more than in all of 2020.[9]​ According to the Environment Secretariat of Quintana Roo, in March 2022, almost 25,000 tons of sargassum arrived on the entity's coasts.[10]​ In 2023, in Quintana Roo the local government collected 70 tons of sargassum.[3]​.

The use of machinery to remove sargassum from beaches puts at risk the ecosystem associated with the beaches, dunes, seagrasses, coral reefs and fauna, so this activity must be carried out following the General Guidelines for the Removal of Sargassum from the Beaches of the Mexican Caribbean.[1] Within the marine zone, physical barriers have been used to contain the sargassum. The first 200-meter barrier was installed 300 meters from the beach of Punta Nizuc, Cancún.[1] Another alternative to clean the beach includes the use of microorganisms that modify themselves and return to the sea to clean the sargassum, although this practice has caused controversy within the scientific community, since the effects it could have are not yet known.[11]​.

Who and how the complex problem derived from the accumulation of sargassum should be addressed is an issue that also requires adaptation of public policies.[2]​ In addition, there are efforts focused on the detection and monitoring of sargassum[12]​ and also mixed initiatives such as the sargassum citizen observatory that issues reports and forecasts of sargassum on the beaches of Quintana Roo and the Mexican Caribbean.[13]​.

The case of the Caribbean islands

In 2022, the countries of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) — which include 15 Member States and five associate members that are territories or colonies — recorded economic losses of around $102 million due to sargassum. Figures that do not include the annual beach cleaning costs that can add another 210 million dollars.[14]​.

Some consequences of sargassum in the Caribbean islands:

On the islands, most of the population lives on the coast, so they are directly affected. These Caribbean countries are the ones that contribute the least to global warming that causes sargassum to proliferate, but at the same time they are among the most affected. It is a problem that requires a global solution and perhaps compensation.

The case of Mexico

The first record of a massive arrival of sargassum in the waters of the Mexican Caribbean was in 2011.[1]​ In the summer of 2013 in the Mexican Caribbean, the arrival of atypical quantities of this macroalgae to the coasts was reported. This continued sporadically over the following months, until, at the end of 2014 and throughout 2015, this situation became constant. In 2018 Spencer Tunick visited Tulum "Tulum (Quintana Roo)") and disseminated photographs as an effort to make visible the problem represented by the accumulation of sargassum on Mexican beaches.[1]​.

During 2020, the Semar "Secretaría de Marina (Mexico)") collected 19,054 tons compared to 2019, a record year where 85,495 tons of sargassum were extracted, according to data from the secretariat.[8]​ According to 2019 figures, keeping a private beach clean costs a luxury complex like the Zoetry hotel in Cancun. $350,000 a year. Between March and July 2021, that is, in five months, the federal Secretary of the Navy collected 21 thousand tons of these brown algae; 3 thousand more than in all of 2020.[9]​ According to the Environment Secretariat of Quintana Roo, in March 2022, almost 25,000 tons of sargassum arrived on the entity's coasts.[10]​ In 2023, in Quintana Roo the local government collected 70 tons of sargassum.[3]​.

The use of machinery to remove sargassum from beaches puts at risk the ecosystem associated with the beaches, dunes, seagrasses, coral reefs and fauna, so this activity must be carried out following the General Guidelines for the Removal of Sargassum from the Beaches of the Mexican Caribbean.[1] Within the marine zone, physical barriers have been used to contain the sargassum. The first 200-meter barrier was installed 300 meters from the beach of Punta Nizuc, Cancún.[1] Another alternative to clean the beach includes the use of microorganisms that modify themselves and return to the sea to clean the sargassum, although this practice has caused controversy within the scientific community, since the effects it could have are not yet known.[11]​.

Who and how the complex problem derived from the accumulation of sargassum should be addressed is an issue that also requires adaptation of public policies.[2]​ In addition, there are efforts focused on the detection and monitoring of sargassum[12]​ and also mixed initiatives such as the sargassum citizen observatory that issues reports and forecasts of sargassum on the beaches of Quintana Roo and the Mexican Caribbean.[13]​.

The case of the Caribbean islands

In 2022, the countries of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) — which include 15 Member States and five associate members that are territories or colonies — recorded economic losses of around $102 million due to sargassum. Figures that do not include the annual beach cleaning costs that can add another 210 million dollars.[14]​.

Some consequences of sargassum in the Caribbean islands:

On the islands, most of the population lives on the coast, so they are directly affected. These Caribbean countries are the ones that contribute the least to global warming that causes sargassum to proliferate, but at the same time they are among the most affected. It is a problem that requires a global solution and perhaps compensation.