Balearic Islands: Environmental organisations call for specific regulations for shallow waters

I’m looking for the BOOTE article on Pollença and adapting the text for motorboat owners.Twelve nature conservation organisations have lodged objections to the proposed action plan for the Balearic Islands’ shallow marine areas. They are calling for specific measures, a timetable and guaranteed funding.

The Action Plan for the shallow marine areas of the Balearic Islands is still under consideration. The public consultation ran from 10 to 30 September 2026. On 5 October, twelve environmental organisations published their joint objections to the draft. They welcome the general approach, but consider the proposed measures to be insufficient in the absence of binding implementation targets.

What the associations want to change in the action plan

The organisations are calling for a specific list of measures, a timetable and a financial commitment. The first step is to carry out an assessment to determine the ecological status of the shallow coastal waters and the pressures to which they are exposed. The criteria for monitoring them are also to be established.

When it comes to monitoring, the associations wish to go beyond the habitats mentioned so far. Among other things, the survey will cover seagrass beds, algal communities, the Mediterranean coral Cladocora caespitosa, sea urchins, barnacles, as well as seahorses and pipefish. Water quality is also to be tested regularly. The statement further calls for greater involvement of the associations in the planned advisory committee.

What consequences might this have for motorboat users?

For motorboat owners, potential changes to anchorage points and speed limits are of particular relevance. The draft proposes that both be reviewed in sensitive areas. The associations are now calling for clarification on when and how these reviews will lead to concrete measures.

This illustrates just how different the situation on the ground can be: Planned buoy field off Pollença. The aim is to regulate an anchorage area that has not previously been regulated; a date for its implementation has not yet been set. When presenting the island-wide action plan, the Balearic Islands Government emphasised that measures should be tailored to the specific area. This should not automatically result in new, blanket bans across the board.

The associations also see a need for action regarding polluted discharges from shipyard and slipway areas, as well as in relation to wastewater disposal. Damaged habitats are to be restored in a targeted manner. It remains to be seen whether, and in what form, the government will adopt these proposals.