ON AIR
Benito Juárez Mayor Ana Paty Peralta announced this Monday during a coordination meeting for the comprehensive management of sargassum alongside the Hotel Association of Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres—that a massive beach cleanup will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025. In her official statement, the mayor emphasized the importance of bringing together hoteliers, civil organizations, all levels of government, and the general public to tackle the arrival of sargassum in Cancún.
Coordinated Efforts to Protect the Tourist Destination
During the meeting with directors from Public Services, Ecology, and ZOFEMAT, as well as relevant municipal secretaries Ana Paty Peralta highlighted that Cancún already has daily cleanup brigades operating across the city’s eleven public beaches, with work starting at 5:30 AM and continuing until 6:00 PM. She stressed the importance of the mega cleanup on Saturday, June 28, as a way to multiply efforts and keep the coastline free of macroalgae—crucial for protecting tourism and the environment.
Training Campaigns and Environmental Protocols
In addition to the cleanup event, the mayor announced training programs for tourism staff to learn environmentally responsible collection techniques and to maintain environmental monitoring logs. This detailed tracking allows for more efficient use of resources and equipment, which currently includes 290 workers, with the capacity to scale up to 400 in case of heavy sargassum arrivals.
Sargassum Data and Operational Capacity
State Ecology Secretary Óscar Rébora Aguilera explained that while Benito Juárez is not currently the municipality most affected by sargassum, changing ocean currents can shift the situation, so constant monitoring is in place. From October 2024 to now, 3,326 tons of sargassum have been collected thanks to 25 machines (including tractors, backhoes, sweepers, and dump trucks) and 181 manual tools.
Sustainable, Comprehensive Strategy
Public Services Director Antonio de la Torre Chambé detailed the work of the brigades, which includes sweeping, sand sifting, macroalgae collection, and beach restroom cleaning. Once collected, the sargassum is transported to the Integrated Waste Processing Center (CIPRES), in compliance with environmental regulations and promoting responsible disposal practices.
