Residents, stakeholders, and visitors of Southern Ambergris Caye have been complaining about the construction of a seawall, which is affecting homes and businesses. Reports are that the concrete structure has changed the flow of sea currents, allowing seaweed and other sea debris to accumulate in front of beach properties. Residents are indicating that the stench of dead seaweed and garbage has become so unbearable that it is causing a dent in the tourism business in that area.

Seawall in question

The San Pedro Town Council has been made aware of the issue, and Mayor Daniel Guerrero is familiar with the particular incident. In an interview with The San Pedro Sun, Guerrero said that he will investigate the legalities of that structure. “It is an issue and I am against it,” said Guerrero. “The problem is that the structure is going further out, beyond the point of where a seawall should be. If no permit has been issued, then we will look into it.” According to Guerrero, the structure is not considered a sea wall yet, since it is just rocks being piled up in front of the beach.

However, up to press time, residents report that no one from the local authorities had been in the area to address the situation. According to them, the massive accumulation of debris is killing the nearby marine life. They have contacted personnel from the Health Department and environmental organizations, but no one has shown up to analyse the issue.

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We've stopped walking past this stretch of beach - the smell is foul. On a positive note though, on Sunday it appeared that someone was chipping away at the wall on the southern side of that lot.