The Balearic Environment Commission calls on the State to “regulate and reduce” the berthing of cruise ships in the port of Ibiza and the traffic of regular boats between the Pitiusas in order to ensure the protection of the Natural Park of ses Salines. The environmental body of the Autonomous Community has reported in favour of the Plan de Ordenación del Espacio Marítimo of the Levantine-Balearic coast that the central government is processing as long as it fulfils this, along with other conditions.
In its report, which is not binding, the Balearic Environment Commission considers that, given the risk of fuel spills and other damage caused to the environment, actions should be coordinated between the State, the Autonomous Community and the local administrations of the island “aimed at reducing maritime frequencies between the Pitiusas”, a demand that the Consell de Formentera has also made to the Balearic Govern. Environment also asks the central government to “reduce” the berthing of regular line boats, shipping companies and cruise ships in the ports of Ibiza and La Savina .
In its justification, the environmental body of the Balearic Islands argues that, although they must be held accountable for and repair damage to natural resources, as the Pitiusas rely on their natural environment, either as tourist attraction or natural heritage, “any episode of accidental pollution [given the tons of fuel from these vessels] would result in very serious effects for the activity of the two islands and of course for the Natural Park and the Marine Reserve”.
Thus, it is proposed that the Maritime Space Management Plan should organise and regulate the relevant activities and uses of the port areas according to “the potential of each area, as well as its load capacity and its environmental status”. With this, it is proposed to limit the number of cruise ships that can be found in a destination, their size or other measures to “minimise the impact of this activity”.
For the full article, please visit Diario de Ibiza website here.