Views: 699
A case of illegal and recurrent tourist rental activity on rural land raises doubts about the effectiveness of current penalties for unauthorized activities of this kind.
This example highlights the need to reflect on the issue of excessive tourism pressure in Menorca. It is becoming clear that strengthening inspections alone will not suffice if the penalties imposed are not significant enough to deter offenders.
More rentals mean more tourism congestion
Views: 1002
Our series of visits to land stewardship farms continues this month! Next Saturday, November 23, we’ll visit Parella Vella, a 12-hectare family farm in Ciutadella with a rich tradition that has embraced a diversified, organic production model.
Continue reading Join us for a Visit to Parella Vella Farm – November 23!
Views: 1064
The GOB is organizing a seminar with two presentations on regenerative aquaculture, set for Saturday, November 30, in Maó.
A new blue economy is taking root in some parts of the world, with positive economic and ecological results: regenerative aquaculture. This approach involves cultivating different species of shellfish and macroalgae together in a single space.
Continue reading Seminar on regenerative aquaculture: an opportunity for the sea
Views: 1006
It seems like the Balearic Government is obsessed with rewarding environmental offenders. The draft law up for discussion in Parliament tomorrow includes new and alarming environmental rollbacks.
Some of the proposed changes from PP-Vox include putting the definition of “general interest” into the hands of each Island Council, making it easier to renovate buildings outside of zoning regulations, and allowing building violations on rural land to be left unpunished after a certain period.
Continue reading The government proposes further unacceptable environmental rollbacks
Views: 1052
This coming Wednesday at 7:30 PM, the GOB’s Maó office will host the presentation of Portfolio 1 – Fotografías e historias de aves extraordinarias [Photographs and Stories of Extraordinary Birds], published by Lynx Nature Books. A work by ornithologist and photographer Rafael Armada, who has published in numerous specialized ornithology magazines. His work has illustrated many publications and has earned him multiple awards and recognitions. Also joining the event will be Alejandra Rendón, author of the texts accompanying the images.
Views: 1131
The Alaior Town Council has granted a license to legalize the pools at the Torre Vella agrotourism site, ignoring the warning from the former Environmental Commission, which argued that environmental violations cannot be retroactively legalized.
Decree Law 3/2024, introduced by the Council last May under the guise of “administrative simplification,” actually modifies over 50 regulations. Among the most controversial changes are the lifting of bans on construction in flood-prone areas and the dissolution of the Environmental Commission. We are now starting to see the results of these changes.
Views: 993
400 million years ago, much was already happening on Earth. Vast land masses, quite different from the continents we know today, were releasing sediments that would drift into the sea. Imagine tiny particles of clay, carried by wind or rain, slowly sinking and layering on top of each other over eons.
Views: 1238
In February 2023, Spain approved the Maritime Spatial Plans (MSP) to regulate various marine activities across the country, including renewable energy installations. These plans designated two areas north of Menorca (LEBA 2 and LEBA 3) as the only spaces in the Balearic Islands where offshore wind projects could be developed.
This year, a French company introduced the “Gregal Offshore Wind Project,” planned for the LEBA 2 area. GOB Menorca has sent a report to the Ministry of Ecological Transition with several considerations.
Views: 1088
Commenting on a sensitive topic always has its risks, yet advancing environmental issues has never been easy.
For weeks, there has been an ongoing discussion about the water crisis in Maó, stemming from the failure to notify citizens when an excess of nitrates was detected in the municipal water supply. The political cost of this incident is clear, with resignations, an extraordinary council meeting, and the launch of further investigations. Many are watching closely.
For these reasons, the GOB waited a few days before discussing the broader consequences of this water crisis: the economic, environmental, and social uncertainties it brings.
Views: 2303
Elevated nitrate levels in Maó’s tap water bring a series of urgent issues that must be addressed with proper information.
Beyond these urgent matters lie several key causes—the root of the problem, which should not be overshadowed by media headlines.
The GOB advocates for a tariff revision, reducing rates for reasonable consumption and raising them significantly for excessive usage.
Continue reading Maó’s water: an urgent and important matter
