The idea of making independent groups but with the same methodology for adopting sections of the Menorcan coast has had an excellent response. Some 50 groups made up from about 800 people, have shown an interest in participating. Menorca once again proves the love for the island. Continue reading 50 groups “adopt” beaches
Tag Archives: Marine ecology
Plastic Free Menorca: Five groups unite in the battle against plastics
Menorca Sense Plàstic (Plastic Free Menorca) is an alliance between the Menorca Preservation Fund, the Institut Menorquí d’Estudis, GOB Menorca, the Associació Leader Illa de Menorca and Per la Mar Viva.
The project started this September and has a budget of 24,500 euros for the first year, although it is hoped that it will continue for the next few years. Continue reading Plastic Free Menorca: Five groups unite in the battle against plastics
Programme for adoption of Menorcan beaches
GOB has started a programme for adopting beaches that is aimed at groups of volunteers who want to help clean up the plastics affecting the sea and shoreline. The programme was started as a participatory social project in which volunteer groups commit to taking charge of a beach or a section of the coastline for a minimum number of times each year. Even though the activities are mainly focussed on the cleaning up and collecting of rubbish, they will also be given knowledge and methodologies for collecting scientific information and protocols for the notification of any occurrences that they might come across. Continue reading Programme for adoption of Menorcan beaches
Save Addaia and Fornells. Video
The shallow waters around Menorca are home to many important species that have disappeared in the greater part of the Mediterranean. The increase in the number of moorings and anchorages is a severe threat. GOB is calling on the Balearic Ports Authority to conduct scientific studies to assess areas that have special protection. Continue reading Save Addaia and Fornells. Video
We cannot free marine turtles
If we find a marine turtle tangled up, we must not free it. We need to let 112 know. The turtles need to be disentangled by a vet to avoid complications, which can be very serious. Even if we see that it is in a distressing position, we must not do anything with it, because that could make it worse. It is very gratifying to know that many people have been concerned about the turtles they have found in a bad state and tried to help them by releasing them but it is not the correct way of going about it. These turtles may not survive because of later complications if they have not been checked by a specialist. What has to be done is to contact 112 and follow their instructions. Continue reading We cannot free marine turtles
Marine turtles: Why this management?
The laying of the eggs by a marine turtle on a Menorcan beach has been one of the events of this summer. Both the management of the spawning and of the young that now, happily, are hatching, have produced many questions from the public. We will try to answer them.
Nearly 90% fewer disciplinary proceedings on fishing in 2019
Monitors for fishing produced fewer than 90% disciplinary proceedings in 2019 although fishing was normal before COVID19. GOB will ask to have meetings to find out the reasons for this spectacular decrease. The sum of the Guardia Civil, the two fishing inspectors and the three monitors of the Marine Reserve of the north of Menorca, produced only five open disciplinary proceedings. The number is surprising because in 2018 there were 40 and in 2017 there were 52. Continue reading Nearly 90% fewer disciplinary proceedings on fishing in 2019
Arguments concerning the expansion of the Port of Ciutadella
The project to enlarge the dock in Ciutadella has been put before the public for scrutiny. GOB is opposed. It has argued that if the facilities of Menorcan ports were used efficiently this could avoid new encroachments into environmentally protected areas. Continue reading Arguments concerning the expansion of the Port of Ciutadella
We ask that professional fishing for blue crabs is given an incentive
More and more blue crabs are being seen on the coast of Menorca. They are considered to be one of the most invasive species of the Mediterranean. We have asked the Ministry of the Environment of the Balearic Government to persuade the professional fishing industry to catch this species, as a way of controlling its population. The blue crab was first found in 2017 and it has already spread to many areas along the island coast. Continue reading We ask that professional fishing for blue crabs is given an incentive
Plastic gloves and the wind
The availability of a wind proof container that stops plastic gloves from flying around uncontrolled should be a basic requirement in whatever establishment expects its clients to wear them. These abandoned gloves are already entering the sea around Menorca. We live on an island where wind is not a rarity. Continue reading Plastic gloves and the wind