“It’s Upsetting to See The Beach Like This When We Can Help”

A San Pedro tour guide is calling on residents to join regular beach cleanups as sargassum continues to pile up along parts of the island’s coastline.

Oscar Iboy, a member of San Pedro Citizens for Change, said the initiative began after he joined a cleanup near the high school and later decided to expand it due to low turnout. “Remember, San Pedro is the number one tourist destination in the country… We all gain from tourism, and it benefits all of us to make sure we have a good image,” he said.

Participation has been modest but growing, from 13 volunteers in the first cleanup to about 20 in the most recent.

Iboy also expressed concern about prolonged sargassum buildup. “I’m not a scientist, but I don’t need to be one to explain this. The longer it stays on the beach, it releases a type of acid. We’ve seen sardines and fish that come close to the shore that come and feed. Man, the last time you could see the fish floating all over the beach. Because it kills them,” he said.

With tourism struggling and many guides out of work, Iboy suggested the Town Council consider creating paid opportunities for locals to help with cleanups, giving them a chance to earn extra income while improving the island’s image.

While some residents argue the government should handle the problem, Iboy insists community involvement is the only way there can be change. “We all reap from our island — restaurants, hoteliers, tour guides. It’s upsetting to see the beach like this when we can help,” he said.

The group plans to continue organising cleanups every other Sunday and is urging residents and businesses to get involved.