Mexico's Navy is actively removing massive quantities of sargassum seaweed from Caribbean waters to protect the tourism industry. In one recent operation, crews hauled in over 400 tons of the mustard-brown algae in just hours using conveyor belts and bulldozers. The operation is part of a broader national effort declared earlier this year as sargassum choked off coastal economies.
Since spring, thousands of tons have washed ashore daily, blighting popular destinations like the Mayan Riviera. The seaweed bloom, fueled by climate change and agricultural runoff, has doubled in volume every five years since 2011. The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt now stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil and Africa.
Mexico's efforts are seen as a potential test case for a sustainable solution. Officials note beaches are filthy and the smell is horrendous. At a global conference in Cancún, Barbados's environment minister emphasized that small island developing states need regional support.
With record amounts—nearly 23 million tons—flowing into the western Caribbean this year, tourism has suffered. Airport traffic in Quintana Roo decreased by 6 percent and hotel occupancy dropped nearly 4 percent in the first seven months of the year, alongside higher travel costs and episodes of cartel violence.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing