Erosion In Progreso Becomes Critical As Swaths of Beachfront Wash Away

Erosion has washed away much of the beach on the eastern end of Progreso’s malecon (boardwalk) and beyond.

At a handful of spots, including directly in front of the famous Casa del Pastel restaurant, sand is completely absent, replaced by barriers that experts say only exacerbate the problem. 

Progreso Mayor Erik José Rihani González acknowledged the problem and pointed out that his government was in talks with state and federal authorities to combat erosion. However, he offered no details of what this would entail. 

Yet, specialists like the biologist Salvador Castell argue that the damage is irreversible. “Once the damage is done, it is done; no force can pull back the ocean. It’s a sad truth, but it’s reality. At this point, the only viable strategy is damage mitigation.”

Why Progreso’s beaches are disappearing

Several reports point to the expansion of the Progreso Pier as a major factor in the erosion of Progreso’s beaches. The pier now extends for several kilometers and acts as a large-scale wave-sheltering structure. Research has shown that this structure alters the natural flow of sediments, leading to a significant loss of sand.

The Danish company Christiani and Nielsen completed the first phase of the pier’s construction in 1941. These first 2 km (1.5 miles) of construction resulted in no significant environmental issues due to the pier’s wide arch design, which allowed for the natural flow of ocean currents. 

This same arched design principle was not followed during expansion phases over the past 40 years, with the decision to create a land bridge by dumping large amounts of stone debris on the ocean floor. 

Construction on the pier has increased at a breakneck pace during the past couple of years as the port continues to grow in importance as a cargo hub. In 2023, the pier entered the Guinness World Records as the longest pier in the world.

Other reasons cited for the increased erosion of Progreso’s beach include the exponential growth of the surrounding community and construction along its coastline.

“We moved here from Toluca because we wanted to take it easy and enjoy our retirement, but now we are questioning this decision. Every day, Progeso gets louder, and the beaches we once walked on for miles have been washed away. It’s tragic,” said Teresa and Felipe, who have lived in Progreso for 10 years. 

Then, there is the placement of bags full of concrete along the shrinking shoreline, which has become common practice, though it is illegal. Though authorities have removed these types of barriers in the past, their use continues to grow more common. 

The Cost of Coastal Erosion in Progreso

Restaurant and Hotel managers argue that the loss of large swaths of beach has already cost them a great deal of revenue, as tourists, especially those arriving by cruise ships, are increasingly opting to go on inland daytrips, rather than enjoy the beach. 

“Progreso wasn’t to have its cake and eat it too. You can’t have the world’s largest pier, especially in shallow waters, and maintain pristine beaches. It’s just impossible,” argued Alfonso Aguilar Perera during a recent town hall meeting. 

The damage is not only financial, as several species of animals, including sea turtles, depend on the sandy shores of Progreso to nest. For turtles in particular, the shrinking beaches are only one of several problems, as bright lights and attacks by feral dogs threaten their chances of survival.