Sargassum is a free-floating seaweed that forms large mats moved by wind and ocean currents. A massive amount of it is now appearing in the tropics, causing problems where tourism and fishing are economic drivers.
In the Riviera Maya, state officials said the mats of Sargassum seaweed are likely to continue washing up — in volumes never previously reached — at least until September. Sargassum is named for the Sargasso Sea, an area in the Atlantic north of the Caribbean, where it was first thought to originate. The cause of the Sargassum is up for debate, but some scientists attribute it to nutrients dumped into the ocean by farming and development worldwide.
The Sargassum is not junk. However, it generates bad odor caused by decomposition and the hotels try to keep the beaches as clean as possible for tourists to enjoy the ocean. Sometimes, it becomes counterproductive since in turtle nesting season, the use of machinery and the coming and going of staff to remove the Sargassum endangering this natural process.
Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts is aware of this situation and works on a daily basis to clean the beach area for our guests. Thank you for your understanding.
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