Mexico struggles to clean seaweed surge from Cancun beaches
MEXICO CITY — Mexico's Caribbean resort of Cancun is struggling to remove tons of sargassum seaweed that has been washing ashore in recent weeks.
Sargassum algae is seen at Gaviota Azul beach in Cancun July 17, 2015. Photo: Reuters
MEXICO CITY — Mexico's Caribbean resort of Cancun is struggling to remove tons of sargassum seaweed that has been washing ashore in recent weeks.
The state government of Quintana Roo said yesterday (July 27) it is stepping up removal efforts, and says there have been no reports of tourists cancelling visits because of the problem.
Photos issued by the Cancun city government showed piles of brown seaweed on some normally pristine white beaches. By last week, the city said it had raked or shovelled up 500 cubic metres of sargassum.
Governor Roberto Borge says the cause of the seaweed invasion is still unknown, though it could be due to high levels of nutrients in ocean water or changes in ocean temperatures, currents or wind patterns. AP
Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.
Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.
By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.
