Tag Archives: Pollution

On Menorca’s tourism carrying capacity

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Recently, details have emerged about the study on tourism carrying capacity commissioned by the Consell Insular de Menorca. The study proposes increasing the number of tourist accommodations across the island, including in traditional towns, tourist areas, and even rural land.

This is a serious concern, as the study is being used to justify lifting the current tourism moratorium. The GOB has released an initial response highlighting key issues.

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Proposals for a safer coastline

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A group of organizations from across Spain—including Alianza Mar Menor, Ecologistas en Acción, Fundación Juan Tábara, GEN-GOB, GOB Mallorca, GOB Menorca, Mallorca Blue, Pacto por el Mar Menor, Salvemos Calblanque, SOS Costa Brava, and SOS Mar Menor—have joined forces to urge the Spanish government to update maritime traffic regulations.

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Doubts and risks in the sanitation project for Cala Sant Esteve

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The project to equip Cala Sant Esteve with a sewage system raises questions about compliance with current regulations, could alter the cove’s landscape, and is further clouded by a large-scale land purchase adjacent to the urban area.

The GOB has submitted objections to the proposed sanitation project for Cala Sant Esteve, a small housing development traditionally tied to local residents.

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Pending environmental requirements for Fornells Port

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The renovation of Fornells Port is a delicate balancing act, as all activities related to maritime services take place in an area of great marine value. For this reason, the project was approved with a series of environmental conditions that tend to be repeatedly overlooked. Unfortunately, this is happening once again.

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Inopportunity cost

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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.

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Seminar on regenerative aquaculture: an opportunity for the sea

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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.

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Rewarding Illegal Pools?

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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.

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