Progreso, Yucatán: Challenges and Opportunities in the Conservation and Development of its Coastal Zone

Abstract

The Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (ZOFEMAT) is a coastal strip 20 meters wide that extends inland from the highest recorded tide and is considered national property in Mexico. In the Yucatán Peninsula, which includes the states of Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, the ZOFEMAT is particularly relevant due to the extensive and diverse coastline, featuring white sand beaches, mangroves, dunes, and coral reefs. In Yucatán, a notable case is Progreso, where the port and coastal zone have undergone significant changes due to population growth and tourism. Authorities have implemented measures to protect the ZOFEMAT, such as creating coastal management plans and regulated concession schemes. In the long term, sustainable management of the ZOFEMAT in the Yucatán Peninsula is essential to conserve its biodiversity, protect coastal communities, and ensure a balance between economic development and environmental preservation. This article will discuss the uses that the city of Progreso has given to this space as well as the challenges this zone faces. It will also address the issues involved in managing coastal social-ecological systems (SES), including risks such as natural and ecological disasters that Progreso’s residents may encounter.

Keywords: ICZM, ZOFEMAT, Tourism, Fishing, Economy, Climate Change.