An unusual phenomenon has persisted since the weekend, as a significant amount of bulky sargassum remains along most of Yucatán’s coastal area, causing a considerable decrease in national and international tourist influx.
Although the amount of this seaweed outside the water has decreased, it has negatively impacted the commercial sector, especially the traditional boardwalk “Romeo Frías Bobadilla.” Entire families who had planned to spend the day at the beach withdrew upon noticing the presence of sargassum mounds.
This impact was particularly felt last Sunday, when over half of the population, consisting of more than five thousand athletes and spectators attending the “marathon of the marina,” decided not to stay. Instead, they visited other tourist spots in the municipality, such as the “El Corchito” nature reserve or boat rides offered in communities like Chelem and Chuburná.
Carlos León Aguilar, a biologist and teacher who is also in charge of the turtle camp at Cetmar College, has highlighted that this phenomenon has not affected the nesting activity of turtles that come to the coast to lay eggs up to three times within a seven-month period.
It should be mentioned that the specialist also states that the highest arrivals of these species will occur in the months of June and July. According to the latest records from his team, the presence of turtles has not decreased so far.
The last time such a massive arrival of sargassum occurred in the port was on November 21, 2022, precisely when one of Disney’s ships docked. On that day, there was also a low turnout of visitors at the beach.
During the summer of 2022, there was a constant influx of this seaweed, coupled with a red tide that lasted at least fifteen days, interrupting beach activities.
At the moment, it is unknown whether any action has been taken by the municipal government, as only clean-up efforts by organizations such as the Red Cross delegation in Progreso and private companies have been recorded. It is worth noting that heavy machinery cannot be used within a few meters of the sea due to the nesting season.
TYT Newsroom
