Environmentalists GOB are calling for a comprehensive plan for the management and regulation of the Balearic coast lines. An aim of this would be to raise awareness of the most common threats to the coasts. Among these, says the pressure group, are littering and dumping, "irregular" moorings, breaches of fishing rules, certain activities in marine reserves, cruise ships, temporary installations on beaches and illegal occupation of protected areas as well as processes of "privatisation" of the coast.
Furthermore, adds GOB, there are the conflicts in urbanised parts of the coast which stem from new building and infrastructure. On account of the highly fragile nature of coastal ecosystems, there is a need for protection, it states.
Some of this is clearly in reference to recent events, such as the parasols and loungers placed on Cabrera and other beaches for the "private" enjoyment of people on hired superyachts. The reference to marine reserves picks up on recent legal amendments by which party boats are to be excluded from entering areas of marine protection.
The chief spokesperson for GOB, Margalida Ramis, says that there is misuse and mismanagement of the coast and that the Coasts Law is not being applied. "We have received many complaints because people don't know where to turn." GOB wants the Council of Majorca's department for land to coordinate such a comprehensive plan, noting that in addition to the Costas Authority there are responsibilities for the coast held by the regional government, island councils, town halls and the Balearic Ports Authority. These vary case by case.
"It is urgent that order is established," insists GOB, adding that a plan is provided for in the Coasts Law but has never never been developed. Ramis notes that the complaints which GOB has been receiving this summer highlight a lack of information regarding which administration should be contacted in order to report infringements. The group has, therefore, created infographics that indicate the most common transgressions and their possible regulatory solutions.