Quintana Roo May Launch Sargassum Circular Economy Park

Federal and state authorities in Quintana Roo have announced the potential creation of a Sargassum Circular Economy Park in the state. The initiative aims to integrate sargassum-derived product producers and promote a sustainable, regional value chain based on circular economy principles.

As part of her working tour in Quintana Roo, Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), held several meetings to strengthen interinstitutional coordination across all levels of government. These engagements also included sessions with private-sector actors and coastal communities, focused on advancing the comprehensive management of sargassum in the region.

Bárcena proposed the creation of the Sargassum Circular Economy Park in the state, envisioning it as a space that brings together all producers involved in the transformation of sargassum into value-added products. In this context, she met with entrepreneurs already producing goods from the algae, including construction materials, biofertilizers, recycled paper, colored pencils, and sandal components.

She also engaged with communities in Tulum that have been affected by massive sargassum landings, and reaffirmed the federal government’s support to help manage the situation. “I believe this is not just about solving Quintana Roo’s problem, but the Caribbean’s. That is why we are here,” she stated.

The minister emphasized the relevance of the Circular Economy Development Hubs for Wellbeing (PODECIBI) and announced plans to establish one such hub in Quintana Roo focused on sargassum-based production. She also confirmed that Quintana Roo will be a special guest at the upcoming National Roundtable on Sustainable Tourism, in recognition of its land-use planning efforts and its proposal to turn Holbox into the first plastic-free and carbon-neutral island in Mexico.

In addition, Minister Bárcena and Mara Lezama, Quintana Roo Governor, led a working session with heads of federal environmental offices operating in the state. Key topics included sustainable management of natural resources, the operation of sanitary landfills and water treatment plants, environmental oversight of tourism and infrastructure projects, and the protection of local ecosystems.

“Caring for, protecting, and preserving the environment is a top priority in Quintana Roo, as residents depend on tourism driven by natural attractions: the sun, sea, beaches, jungles, cenotes, and adventure tourism,” said Lezama.

The visit concluded with a meeting of the Federal Government’s Intersecretarial Group on Sargassum. Attendees included representatives from the Ministry of the Navy (SEMAR), the Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (SECIHTI), the Ministry of Energy (SENER), the National Fisheries Commission (CONAPESCA), and the Mexican Institute for Research in Fisheries and Sustainable Aquaculture (IMIPAS). The group reviewed comprehensive strategies to address the sargassum challenge across the Yucatan Peninsula, including offshore and coastal collection efforts and the development of new technologies for its utilization.

“The doors of SEMARNAT are open. We want to work hand in hand with the tourism and real estate sectors. We must rethink our development model to make it truly sustainable, integrating economic, social, and environmental dimensions,” Bárcena stated.