MEXICO--Royal Caribbean Group completed the first phase of its sargassum management program in Mahahual, Mexico, advancing the commitment the company announced in March of this year to help address one of the coastal community's priorities.
Sargassum is a naturally occurring floating seaweed that provides important habitat for marine species in the open ocean. In coastal areas, however, large accumulations can affect coastal ecosystems and communities, underscoring the need for timely and responsible management.
The program was developed in collaboration with Menos Plástico es Fantástico, a local non-profit organization that promotes community and educational initiatives focused on reducing plastic waste that has expanded its work to include sargassum management.
During the pilot, teams used in-water collection and nets to remove sargassum form Mahahual ́s reef lagoon before it reached the shoreline. The materials were then transported to designated areas for drying and processing, where waste and other materials were separated. These efforts complement existing sargassum management measures in the area, including barriers and anchor points near the pier.
Over five months, the program achieved the following results:
• Collected 977 metric tons of sargassum, equivalent to filling more than 48,000 wheelbarrows.
• Used 3,054 collection nets as part of water sargassum removal operations.
• Produced 560 sacks of dried sargassum, while exploring potential opportunities to repurpose the material.
• Generated learnings related to collection, transportation, drying and waste separation processes.
The program included the identification and documentation of marine species found in the collected sargassum, including sargassum crabs, juvenile triggerfish, sargassum shrimp and sargassum frogfish. Macroplastics found during the collection were also gathered, contributing additional information to better understand the materials and marine life present in the collected sargassum.
The pilot was carried out by Menos Plástico es Fantástico with the support of Royal Caribbean Group, with activities focused primarily on the El Quebrado area of Mahahual. In addition, the project supported other local sargassum management efforts in areas of economic and tourism importance to Mahahual, including actions related to barriers in the fishermen's pier area and the navigation channel, in collaboration with local stakeholders.
As the program moves into its second phase, Royal Caribbean Group and Menos Plástico es Fantástico will extend operations through November, expanding in-water collection capacity from two to three vessels and introducing additional cleanup activities along the navigation channel between Mahahual's central area and the entrance to Quebrado Norte. These efforts will include supporting cleanup of their sargassum nets and surrounding areas, as well as removing nets left on the seabed and clearing debris accumulated around the sargassum nets, helping keep the navigation channel cleaner.
"Our commitment to Mahahual begins with listening to the community and working alongside local partners on solutions that respond to shared priorities," said Helen OConnell, Associate Vice President, Community Engagement, Royal Caribbean Group. "This first phase turned that commitment into action, helping remove 977 metric tons of sargassum, strengthen local collaboration and build a foundation for continued progress through the next phase of the program."
In parallel with the pilot, Royal Caribbean Group also contributed to sargassum management efforts in Mahahual by supporting the relocation and expansion of the sargassum barrier, including investment in new anchors and technical equipment, in coordination with the Mahahual Sargassum Committee and the Mexican Navy (SEMAR).
Those programs reflect Royal Caribbean Group's broader commitment to the communities and destinations where it operates. Through its SEA the Future platform, the company advances initiatives focused on sustaining the planet, strengthening communities and accelerating innovation at scale.
