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Mahahual will double its anti-sargasso barriers for the 2021 season

Mahahual, Q.R. — Placement of anti-sargasso barriers along the coast of Mahahual have been delayed to due windy weather. The Secretary of the Navy is, however, getting set to install the barriers that were planned for installation before Easter.

Pedro Marcial Rodríguez Cobos, mayor of Mahahual, says that during the last city council meeting, it was agreed that a double-length of barrier be installed this year.

Rodriguez Cobos said that the coast of Mahahual will have 1,200 meters of barriers placed in the sea for the 2021 sargassum season, an increase from the usual 600-meters normally anchored. He said that doubling the linear meters of sargassum mesh will equal the same meters that the neighboring community of Xcalak had in 2020.

He added that after a revaluation of the installation points, the barriers will be placed in new areas where they anticipate the arrival of a heavier flow of algae. Before Easter, Mahahual experienced the arrival of the sargassum, however, as of late, the strong winds that have prevented the installation of the barriers have also kept the community beaches free of the seaweed.

Rodrigues Cobos says they are hoping the additional barriers will prove more effective in keeping the unwanted seaweed from reaching Mahahual shores. Officials will meet again next week to determine an installation date.