Quintana Roo Business Leader Warns Sargassum Threatens

The president of the business group Empresarios por Quintana Roo, Marcos Gutiérrez Martínez, has voiced a new level of concern over sargassum seaweed. He insists the issue demands immediate attention from both authorities and the private sector to secure the state's tourism future.

Gutiérrez warned that the problem is becoming routine, causing people to overlook critical aspects. He pointed to an upcoming summit organized by the European Community in Quintana Roo on October 2 and 3. "It brings some impressive advances that we must know about," he said.

Economic and Health Challenges

The business leader outlined significant economic, operational, and sanitary challenges posed by the seaweed's arrival. He stressed an urgent need for budget transparency and medical prevention in the region. Gutiérrez argued that efforts must go beyond merely collecting tons of seaweed and cleaning beaches.

He called for a focus on occupational health, labor conditions, prevention, environmental impact, utilization of the seaweed, and results from public spending. A review of protection protocols for cleanup workers is also needed.

Worker Safety and Proposed Solutions

Gutiérrez highlighted direct health risks, noting that decomposing sargassum emits gases harmful to cleanup crews. He revealed a troubling gap in healthcare protocols. Today, if a sargassum worker goes to the doctor with certain ailments, there is no diagnostic protocol to determine if the illness is from contact with sargassum, he stated.

He cited a study that monitored 35 cleanup workers using portable sensors. To improve management, he proposed a Sargassum Control Dashboard. This tool would track committed and spent resources, expenditure destinations, funded actions, follow-up indicators, and results obtained.

Upcoming International Conference

The call for action comes as the state prepares for a major international meeting. The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra, launched the official registration for the 4th EU-Caribbean Global Gateway Conference on Sargassum.

This conference is scheduled for October 1-2 at the Emporio Hotel in Cancun's Hotel Zone. Gutiérrez insists sargassum must be seen as a permanent challenge requiring industrialization and a joint effort between authorities and private initiative. The goal is to ensure the long-term viability of Quintana Roo's tourism economy.