Views: 79
The high density of boats along Menorca’s coastline during the summer is causing safety concerns for swimmers and other beachgoers. The constant speed and noise also negatively impact the marine environment.
Continue reading Insecurity on the coastline and nautical overcrowding
Views: 53
——- ATTENTION: FULLY BOOKED ———–
Summer is here, and it’s always nice to engage in activities that involve getting wet. That’s why we have found the perfect combination: cooling off in the waters of Fornells Bay and participating in one of GOB’s most important tasks, environmental education. The result is a free underwater photography activity that allows us to explore the blue world, capturing the beauty of the landscape and recognizing elements of Menorca’s marine flora and fauna.
Continue reading Underwater Photography Workshop in Shallow Bays
Views: 51
The project promotes school participation in microplastic research along the Menorcan coastline
The 2023-2024 school year marks the fourth consecutive year of the “Observadors del Mar” [Sea Observers] project, coordinated by the Environmental Education and Marine Environment areas of GOB Menorca. This initiative focuses on sampling and analyzing beach sand to detect the presence of meso and microplastics, complementing these activities with educational content about coastal ecosystems.
Views: 145
The discharge of brine from the desalination plant, the extraction of sludge with the presence of heavy metals and increased occupation of the water surface are some of the concerns for the reorganisation of the Colársega of Maó. GOB has lodged a formal complaint.
Continue reading Desalination plants, sludge and other concerns in the Colársega of Maó
Views: 135
Fifteen environmental organisations are asking the Government to strengthen the protection commitments of the Spanish Mediterranean Sea. The organisations call for decisive actions and request participatory governance for the presentation of detailed explanations, implementation and evaluation of the plans for managing the area.
Continue reading Petition to the State Government for marine protection
Views: 997
The Port Authority has tendered the construction of a dry dock ramp in the port of Mahon, in a protected area, with no possibility of parking and with the danger of affecting species under special protection. GOB has sent a letter to the port authority warning of these significant deficiencies.
Continue reading The Cala Teulera ramp, projected over a protected area
Views: 200
For the fourth consecutive year, the sand on the beaches of Algaiarens and Son Bou will be analysed with the help of primary and secondary school students to try to determine the incidence of plastic waste on our coast. Continue reading Two Menorcan beaches are continuing under the magnifying glass of citizen science
Views: 194
GOB organised a clean up of the coast along s’Estany de Mongofra that took place on Sunday 23 July. The topography and the enclosed coves of this unique area make it particularly prone to the accumulation of waste brought in by the sea.
The fifty volunteers that came to help were distributed to various points already identified around s’Estany. In total, they collected 83 kilos of waste, mostly plastics. The presence of microplastics in the area, with muddy or pebble beaches, made them difficult to collect, so that they could only be collected manually picking up each one by one.
It was a day of intense heat so that the mid-morning snacks, with Land Stewardship Scheme farm products, above all the melons and watermelons, helped rehydration and to give strength to continue with the task.
At the end of the day, the different types of waste were separated. This time, the remains of broken plastics made up the main part of the waste, weighing 29 kg, followed by bulky plastic waste, 23 kg, and in third place were the ropes weighing 17 kg. What is surprising is the large number of stoppers that can be found, on this occasion 3.5 kilograms that took up a volume of 30 litres.
Since 2015, GOB has organised various clean up days at the same point and something interesting has been observed that, with the passing of time, the smallest plastics (microplastics, mesoplastics and others) have been replacing the larger objects that used to represent the most common waste. These small waste objects are nothing more than the result of plastic degradation, which, as we all know, is not biodegradable so that it breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces that end up in the trophic chain and become ingested by humans.
We are grateful to all the volunteers that took part on this day and we encourage everyone to take advantage of their beach days and collect the plastic waste they are sure to find in the sand.
This event was supported by the Island Governing Council and the Menorca Preservation Fund.
For photographs, please look here
Views: 441
Puertos, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, have opened a file for a concession to build and make use of five pontoons in Fornells Port. GOB has made formal complaints in order to remind that these new facilities were approved with a series of environmental conditions that must now be followed.
Let us remember that the project of remodelling the Fornells Port was conditional on a series of measures that had to be carried out prior to the commissioning of the new pontoons. Let us look at the conditions:
GOB also asked that criteria for historical heritage and sustainability of boats be applied when prioritizing the allocation of moorings. Specifically, it asked for priority to boats of traditional construction of less than 8 metres, those that move by sail, electric motor or powered by technologies more sustainable than fossil fuels.
It should be borne in mind that studies carried out on nautical load capacity of the Menorcan coast shows that the defined maximum has been exceeded for 13 years. For this reason, the final increase in moorings that is to be carried out in Fornells of 77 new points, is also dependent on the financing, installation and management of the 77 ecological buoys in coves within and outside of the bay, given that this area can no longer accommodate more boats in high season.
Views: 256
GOB is organizing a clean-up day on Sunday 23 July at s’Estany de Mongofra, one of the most beautiful places on the island.
Owing to its northern situation and the topography of the coves, a great deal of rubbish coming in from the sea accumulates there. In 2018, a rubbish collection was organised and nearly 500 kilos of waste was collected, but, as we have seen the beaches are once again full of plastics, especially micro plastics.
The event is open to everyone, and we encourage you to invite your families and friends. It is suitable for adults and children.
On this occasion, two meeting points have been organised for sharing cars. At 8.15 in the parking area of the poliesportiu of Maó. For those who do not come from Maó, at 8.45 in the car park of the Tramuntana School (Ses Escoles, ctra Favàritx 24).
In the middle of the morning, there will be a break for a snack of products from the network of Land Stewardship Scheme farms, for all participants.
GOB will take all the necessary materials for the cleaning operation, but if you have your own gloves, then take them. It is important to be well equipped with closed shoes, sun hat, sun cream and bottles of water to cope with the heat. You will have to walk about 20 minute from the houses to the base point where we will organise groups and select the types of waste found.
If you wish to participate, please complete this form . Or telephone GOB (971 350 762), or go to the office any morning from 9.00 to 14.00 H, at Camí des Castell 53, Maó. It is important to state how many people you will be, your telephone number or email, and which meeting point you choose.
The volunteering day coincides with the general elections, but it is expected that the activity will end at 13.30.
We look forward to seeing you!
