More environmentally friendly breakwaters to save beaches from erosion

Little by little, the strip of sand on Grau d’Agde beach disappears with the waves. However, as early as the 1980s, heavy breakwaters had been installed to slow down this phenomenon. But today, it is clear that this device is no longer sufficient: the beach is only 500 meters long.

To avoid its disappearance, around forty towers were submerged not far from Grau d’Agde. These creations from the Montpellier company seaboot are actually new generation wave attenuators. Their operation is inspired by that of the roots of mangroves, one of the species that make up mangroves. “Current passes through the object due to the complexity of the object, energy is dissipated by friction”explains Julien Dalle, Director project Seaboost. At its exit from the device, the current is of lower intensity when it reaches the beach and the risks of erosion are reduced.

Good news for lovers of beach but also for biodiversity. Wave attenuators are designed to be able to accommodate aquatic fauna on its structure while protecting the existing ecosystem. “The action that is carried out is interesting, because it is complementary to the action of protection of the Posidonia meadows”, explains Renaud Dupuy of the grand drivedirector of the Marine Protected Area of ​​Agde. These breakersblades natural located in shallow coastal waters in the Mediterranean are home to many aquatic species and can absorb a large amount of carbon.

If this project entitled Pegasus is experimental, its results could encourage the use of ecological engineering in coastal towns and make it possible to find a balance between maintaining maritime tourism and respecting biodiversity.