Tulum's Sargassum Fight: Navy Budget Boosts Cleanup Efforts

After years of battling the sargassum invasion, Tulum is set to receive a significant boost in cleanup efforts. The 2027 federal budget allocates 1,866.9 million pesos to the Navy for a series of projects aimed at tackling this environmental challenge.

According to the budget proposal, the funds will be used to construct a central logistics support building, a dock, and four additional support buildings. These facilities will be key in organizing and coordinating the cleanup operations across Quintana Roo's coastal zones. While the state and local municipalities will not be directly involved in spending this money, the Secretaría de Marina (Semar) will execute the project.

Marco, an Italian expat running a small dive shop in Tulum for the past three years, can relate to the ongoing struggle. ‘The sargassum is a constant challenge for us,’ he says. ‘Every year, we see the beach get affected, and the tourism it brings is crucial for our livelihoods.’

The budget also includes funding for the purchase of oceanic and coastal sargassum vessels, tugboats, and specialized equipment. Stage one of the project, which cost 768.7 million pesos in 2026, has already laid the groundwork, bringing the total investment to 2,635.6 million pesos. This two-stage approach aims to significantly increase the capacity to collect sargassum, with the target being 100% collection in the priority attention zones by 2027.

While the allocation is a step in the right direction, Marco notes, ‘We need to ensure that the cleanup efforts are done correctly, without damaging the delicate ecosystem. The machinery and methods used are crucial.’