Tag Archives: Ecology

Regenerative aquaculture: economy and environment in the sea

Views: 1046

On Saturday, November 30th, the first Regenerative Aquaculture Seminar in Menorca will take place at the Claustre del Carme in Maó. Organized by GOB Menorca, this event offers a unique opportunity to explore a pioneering approach to sustainable blue economy with proven ecological, economic, and social benefits. Registration is still open via this link.

Menorca’s natural conditions make it an ideal candidate to lead the way in regenerative aquaculture, aligning perfectly with its status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Continue reading Regenerative aquaculture: economy and environment in the sea →

9 extra pools at another rural tourism establishment in Alaior

1 Comment

Views: 1061

Another case has been confirmed involving a rural tourism establishment that, in this instance, has built nine additional pools not included in its approved project. Similar to the well-known Torre Vella case, the authorization had been previously reviewed by the Environmental Commission.

Continue reading 9 extra pools at another rural tourism establishment in Alaior →

Inopportunity cost

Views: 1118

When faced with several options, we often weigh the pros and cons of each. That is, we consider what we gain by choosing a certain option versus what we lose by rejecting another. Economists call this the opportunity cost.

Sometimes, this calculation is simple and obvious. But other times, it involves more complex factors—like when short-term benefits contradict long-term consequences or when personal gains come at the expense of others or the environment.

Continue reading Inopportunity cost →

Seminar on regenerative aquaculture: an opportunity for the sea

Views: 1142

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 →

The government proposes further unacceptable environmental rollbacks

Views: 1099

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 →

Rewarding Illegal Pools?

1 Comment

Views: 1227

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.

Continue reading Rewarding Illegal Pools? →

Offshore wind energy in Northern Menorca

Views: 1350

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.

Continue reading Offshore wind energy in Northern Menorca →