Tag Archives: Water

October 11 – II Regenerative Aquaculture Seminar

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Climate change and the need to preserve the coastline compel us to find resilient and sustainable alternatives. The Regenerative Aquaculture Seminar returns in 2025 to continue raising these questions and how to address them in a place such as Menorca.

What is regenerative aquaculture? Are there precedents of this activity in Menorca? Is it possible to make marine activity compatible with a sustainable model? The second edition of the Aquaculture Seminar will address these and other questions, with the participation of experts and professionals in the sector to share knowledge, experiences, and proposals that may help define the future of coastal management that is more respectful of marine ecosystems and society.

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The main water consumers, a priority for inspections

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The GOB wishes to thank the joint action carried out by the Civil Guard and Water Resources to close an illegal well that extracted 40 tonnes of water daily at a rural hotel in Alaior. Ending the feeling of total impunity that has been observed in water abuse cases is essential for Menorca to have a future outlook on this issue.

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Urban development excesses of 900%

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A new urban planning threat is being proposed on rural land in Menorca, presented as essential agricultural buildings to save the island’s countryside. Enormous building projects are being proposed with requests for exemption from urban planning parameters, so they can fall outside the scope of current regulations. These will be agricultural buildings… as long as the activity lasts.

Currently open to public consultation is a project for a large winery in Ciutadella, on the Camí de Macarella. It is planned on specially protected land and within an area of High Fire Risk. It is undergoing processing to be declared of General Interest. GOB has submitted objections.

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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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From Ciutadella’s water crisis to Menorca’s sustainability challenge

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Ciutadella is one of the municipalities where underground water resources are in the worst state, to the point that the new General Plan is currently halted because it cannot guarantee supply for the projected population.

Two years ago, the Sustainable Water Management Plan for the municipality was drafted. GOB submitted comments because there were very concerning situations. Given the chronic nature of these issues for decades, the intervention by the Civil Guard and the judicial complaint, potentially qualifying as an environmental crime due to water management, were considered good news.

Now, it has been announced that the Government is approving the Water Management Plan, but no one has responded to the comments. Therefore, we recall them here so they do not remain in a drawer:

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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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Meeting between environmental organisations and the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy

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The organisations SOS Costa Brava, Ecologistas en Acción, SOS Mar Menor and GOB recently met in Madrid with the Director General of the Merchant Navy, Gustavo Santana, to express our shared concern about the growing impacts of nautical overcrowding along the entire Spanish coastline.

During the meeting, it was made clear that the main cause of this situation is the excessive number of recreational boats operating without control or oversight. In recent years, in the most saturated areas, this reality has led to an increase in unsafe conditions along the coastal strip, with concerning episodes such as collisions between boats, accidents involving swimmers, risks during sports activities, and severe impacts on marine ecosystems.

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Mulching the soil: less evaporation, more fertility

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Mulching the soil: less evaporation, more fertility

Next Friday, April 11, GOB Menorca is organizing a training session entitled “Saving water with soil mulching”, which will take place at the Binitord vineyards (Ciutadella). The course is aimed at farmers, horticulturists, and people interested in sustainable soil management. It will include both theoretical and practical components.

The session will be led by Raoul Ferrer, an agricultural engineer with expertise in regenerative agriculture and holistic management. We spoke with him to learn more about mulching and its applications.

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Training course: Water conservation through soil mulching

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Covering the soil reduces water evaporation. This can be done using various materials such as straw, wood chips, bioplastics, and, of particular interest, sheep wool. This traditional practice has regained attention as a way to mitigate drought effects and reduce reliance on conventional materials. It is a sustainable method that is gaining popularity in organic farming.

To promote this technique, we are organizing a practical training course at Vinyes Binitord (Ciutadella) on April 11th. The course will explore different mulching options, with special emphasis on the use of wool—a material that not only conserves water but also improves soil quality and protects crops from pests.

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