Ayuda a las playas locales con esta petición | Help the local beaches with this petition
Predominant S and SW swells mean that sand will flow from La Punta north to Zicatela and finally the Bahia Principal. However, the jetty built at the end of the bay stops this natural movement from happening and the result is nearly 100 yards of sand accumulation in parts of Zicatela.
Prior to the construction of the jetty, several freshwater marshes existed near the shore; these marshes prevented the majority of the seasonal rain flow from entering the ocean and were host to biodiversity.
Complementing the freshwater marshes, Zicatela bushes (native sticker bushes that the beach was named after) preserved the high tide line, protected the sand along the beach, and were hosts to biodiversity.
The initial development of Zicatela began with the construction of the street that runs along the beach, as well as several small structures. These directly affected the marshes. Runoff water from the season rains could now flow directly into the ocean bringing bacteria, rocks, clay, dirt, and other debris into the lineup.
In an effort to boost tourism and make more commercial space available, the majority of the Zicatelas were cut down in 1988 by the local government. During large swells or rain events, ocean water can now freely move well beyond the high tide line.
Simply put, large buildings block the steady offshores that the local mountains bless Zicatela with.
After a few decades of aggressive but slower paced development, large construction projects are now firmly in place from far bar in the south all the way to the main bay. This has led to the complete eradications the zicatelas and formalized runoff into the ocean by creating cemented drainage channels throughout the oceanfront, not to mention a complete disfiguration of the beach.
Donate to the cause: We are currently raising money to fund a detailed study to document the movement of sand at Zicatela
Donate your time: We always need help updating the site, creating marketing materials, carrying out light research, etc.
Tell your friends and family that are visiting Puerto to check out the list below
Support local business that respect the ocean and do not visit businesses with illegal or unethical construction
e.g., cemented foundations on the beach sand; 3 story + constructions
Participate in beach clean-ups
Are you an environmental scientist or an economist? Let's connect on the several types of studies that can be done to get Zicatela back in better shape