Category Archives: News

Let’s Recover the Port of Maó

Views: 12

Four civic organisations have joined forces to present a document with management proposals for the Port of Maó, aimed at putting a stop to the environmental, heritage and social conflicts taking place there. Next Thursday, the 5th, at 7 pm, the document will be presented to the public with a talk by Joan Alemany and interventions from the four associations. The event will take place at the Ateneu de Maó.

In recent decades, the pressure of tourist activity has grown rapidly in the Port of Maó. The dynamics and pace of growth threaten to fully colonise port spaces, both on land and at sea.

Continue reading Let’s Recover the Port of Maó →

The Rafal Rubí documents

Views: 27

In relation to the controversy over the works at Rafal Rubí, GOB wishes to recall that UNESCO has spoken very clearly about the documentation that the Island Council sent regarding the road works. There is no doubt that an opinion was issued on the information sent from Menorca.

The international body clearly warned that the indication was that the works already begun should be dismantled as soon as possible.

Continue reading The Rafal Rubí documents →

Rerouting the Camí de Cavalls in Addaia

Views: 16

In February 2021, five years ago now, three environmental organisations working in the Balearic Islands, two of them focused on Menorca, formally requested that the Island Council modify a section of the Camí de Cavalls that crosses the middle of the former salt flats of Addaia. These organisations are GOB, Societat Ornitològica de Menorca (SOM) and Societat Espanyola d’Ornitologia (SEO-Virot Balears).

The letter recalled the protection figures that apply to this area: Natural Park, ANEI with a high level of protection and the Natura 2000 Network (SCI and SPA). This protection is due to its great landscape and environmental value.

Continue reading Rerouting the Camí de Cavalls in Addaia →

February 26, the challenge of waste management, up for debate at the Ateneu de Maó

Views: 16

The fourth and final round table in the «Viure dins del dònut» [«Living within the doughnut»] debate series at the Ateneu de Maó will focus on waste management. This genuine collective challenge is a key element in moving towards more sustainable and responsible models. The session will address the future prospects of island waste management, the role of the three Rs —reduce, reuse and recycle— and innovative local upcycling initiatives.

Continue reading February 26, the challenge of waste management, up for debate at the Ateneu de Maó →

A flamingo shared with France

Views: 28

From the port of Toulon, ships depart all summer long full of tourists heading to Menorca. Some end up settling on the island. A few kilometres from that same French coast lies the Camargue delta, where one flamingo has made the opposite journey.

In August 2014, people found a young flamingo, still with greyish plumage, showing signs of exhaustion near Son Saura del Sud. It probably became disoriented during its migratory journey, as it had no injuries. It received care at the Wildlife Recovery Centre, where it stayed for a month to recover.

Continue reading A flamingo shared with France →

Dangerous land

Views: 42

The theory of no man’s land began as a somewhat rudimentary slogan, but it soon took root because of the usefulness it could offer at particular moments. Circumstances condition many things. When more developed societies carried out the occupation of other territories, it was necessary to dress it up with justification.

The strategy was to argue that no one was using that land. Without ploughing or sowing, it seemed abandoned. It was not difficult to spread the idea of lands that held no interest for those who had arrived previously. A line of reasoning that was very successful, to the misfortune of those who were already living there.

Continue reading Dangerous land →

The territorial corrupt practices of Menorca in carnival version

Views: 11

Many people took part last Sunday in the carnival troupe organised within the framework of the Via Menorca campaign.

An initial group, dressed in suits and ties, carrying briefcases and documents, offered favourable reports and licences while €500 notes were exchanged. There was also a spectacular swimming pool (or perhaps it was a cistern?). A large roundabout related to Talayotic Menorca was also present, as well as several pages of the Island Territorial Plan.

Continue reading The territorial corrupt practices of Menorca in carnival version →

19 February, the housing issue to be debated at Ateneu de Maó

Views: 31

The debate series «Viure dins del dònut» [«Living within the doughnut»] will approach the housing issue this Thursday, 19 February, with the aim of analysing the structural causes of the current situation and reflecting on possible future pathways.

The session, which will consider the phenomenon from different perspectives, will focus on the role of public policies in Menorca, the recent evolution of the real estate market and the challenges posed by a context of growing scarcity.

Continue reading 19 February, the housing issue to be debated at Ateneu de Maó →

A Step Forward for the Menorca Agroecological Alliance: Collaborative project workshop

Views: 12

The Alliance for Agroecology in Menorca is organising a Project Definition Workshop next Thursday, 19 February, at CentreBit Menorca (Av. des Camp Verd, 4, in Alaior), with the aim of opening up the participatory process launched a year ago and bringing new people and organisations into the transformation of Menorca’s agricultural sector towards a more sustainable, fair and territory-rooted model.

After a first year of work driven by a small core group, the Alliance wants to take a step forward and broaden the project’s social base. Promoting the agroecological transition — which links agricultural production and nature conservation — is a collective challenge that requires everyone’s involvement.

Continue reading A Step Forward for the Menorca Agroecological Alliance: Collaborative project workshop →