A new beach reclamation effort at Boca del Rio Park has sparked strong reactions across San Pedro, as the community weighs the need for accessible public beaches against the responsibility to protect delicate marine ecosystems. The project, being carried out collaboratively by the San Pedro Town Council and Hon. Andre Perez, Area Representative for Belize Rural South and Minister of the Blue Economy, involves dredging sand to replenish the shoreline at Boca del Rio. The goal, according to officials, is to restore a beach area that has significantly eroded over the years, something many residents say they miss deeply.
Tour Guides Sound the Alarm
However, the San Pedro Tourist Guide Association (SPTGA) has publicly called for the dredging for the beach reclamation to stop, urging authorities to “STOP DESTROYING OUR ECOSYSTEMS.” In a statement, the association emphasized the environmental importance of the Boca del Rio channel:
“Boca del Rio serves as an essential channel where water passes from the lagoon to the open sea and reef area. The shallow areas surrounding it act as natural filters. Dredging disrupts this system, increases sediment, and directly harms the coral reef ecosystem.”
SPTGA also noted that previous development in the area, particularly the approval of a fuel station, already compromised part of this natural filtration zone. They argue that further dredging continues a pattern of damage that may not be reversible.
Beach Reclamation to Give Back
Area Representative Responds: “This Is About Giving San Pedro Back Its Beach”. In response, Hon. Andre Perez acknowledged the environmental concerns but stressed that the dredging is being done carefully, with oversight:
“This is a collaborative effort between the Town Council and my office. The work is being done in an environmentally conscious way. We are not touching any grass beds. We are simply putting back the sand that was washed away over the years.”
Perez explained that erosion has left San Pedro without a usable public beach in town, pushing locals and tourists to Secret Beach, which in turn has shifted economic activity away from the downtown area.
“People are asking, where is the beach? Businesses are struggling. We cannot ignore this. We have to be proactive.”
He added that the beach reclamation initiative stems from discussions held earlier this year during a visit from the Prime Minister, where the urgent need for shoreline recovery was highlighted.
Balancing the Blue Economy: A Tension With No Easy Answers
Both sides agree on one thing: the coastline has changed, and the community is feeling the impact. Where they differ is how to respond.
- Tour guides are urging long-term ecosystem protection and stricter oversight.
- Local leadership argues that restoring beach access is essential for livelihoods, tourism, and quality of life, beach reclamation is needed
Hon. Perez emphasized:
“We must protect the environment, but we must also create a community that can thrive. We are trying to strike that balance.” (Full statement by Hon. Perez)
A Community Conversation Still in Motion
The Boca del Rio dredging debate touches the core of what San Pedro values most: its environment, its economy, and its identity as a coastal community. The coming weeks will reveal more about how the project takes shape, how impacts are monitored, and how ongoing discussions can lead to shared solutions. What remains clear is that San Pedro is paying attention, because the future of our beaches, our reef, and our livelihood is something every one of us is connected to.
