Tag Archives: Marine ecology

Nautical activity and marine fauna

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On August 16, near the beach of Binibèquer, an adult sea turtle appeared dead with a large cut on its shell. Some people towed the body to shore.

The protocol was activated by calling 112 and the animal was collected for an autopsy. The turtle’s body clearly showed a prominent fracture in the posterior part of the shell, an injury very likely caused by a collision with a boat propeller. At sea, there are few things that can cause a break of this size in the back of a sea turtle, and due to the large dimension of the break and the clean, linear cut it showed, the staff of the Recovery Center ruled out that it was due to a shark attack.

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Reflections to Prohens on Nautical Overcrowding

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The Balearic Government has spoken out regarding the new measure promoted by the Ministry of Transport that would allow private individuals to rent boats. President Prohens has announced the publication of a Decree this very week, and GOB shares the reasons given: “…this measure compromises the environmental sustainability and maritime safety of our waters.”

Since the Government is using this argument, which is entirely logical and applicable to the current situation, we ask Mrs. Prohens to pay attention to the different existing projects in Menorca that foresee continuing to increase the number of boats along the island’s coastline.

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Manifesto for a Habitable, Safe and Protected Coastline

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The uncontrolled increase of recreational boats and motorised devices along the coast in recent decades has led to a sharp rise in impacts on coastal marine ecosystems and on their most vulnerable users (swimmers, snorkelers, divers…). A group of organisations have joined forces to submit requests for regulation and protection.

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Environmental violations and unfair competition in Fornells

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Fornells was recently awarded a black flag by Ecologistas en Acción for the poor management of the bay. GOB Menorca considers this distinction, unfortunately, to be well deserved. For years, we have been repeatedly denouncing environmental violations in the port redevelopment project, carried out by Ports IB, and the situation has now reached a critical point.

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Look to look after: workshops to see the sea with new eyes

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GOB Menorca, with the support of Menorca Preservation and the Marilles Foundation, has launched the project Look to Look After” | “Seeing is Believing,” which aims to strengthen both the emotional and rational connection between people — especially children — and the sea. By the end of June, more than 95 students from different schools on the island are expected to have taken part in the first edition of these educational workshops.

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Considerations on a second offshore wind project

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The GOB has submitted a document with considerations to the Ministry for Ecological Transition regarding the floating offshore wind farm project “Tramuntana Wind Menorca.” This is the second offshore wind farm proposal to emerge in Menorca. It involves larger turbines than the previous one and raises as many or more environmental uncertainties.

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Environmental concern over projects at the Port of Maó

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GOB has not received any response to the objections it submitted regarding two major nautical projects at the Port of Maó, nor has it received answers to its requests for access to information.

Plans to discharge desalination plant brine directly into the port, construction of new pontoons in natural areas, lack of environmental impact assessments, and overcrowding of nearby coves are among the concerns raised due to the high potential impact.

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