New Mallorca diving rules cut red tape at El Toro

Mallorca diving centres are set to face simpler procedures under a new Balearic Government decree. The Consell de Govern approved the measure on 28 August. It also makes a targeted change to the rules for tourist diving at El Toro, an island within the Illes del Ponent de Mallorca marine reserve.

The decree alters three sets of rules governing diving with breathing equipment. They cover professional, extractive, scientific and public-service diving, as well as recreational diving. The government says it will remove unnecessary procedures, encourage declarations of responsibility and support the business activity of diving centres.

El Toro rules amended

The change at El Toro corrects annex 3 of the decree establishing the marine reserve covering El Toro, les Malgrats and El Sec. Its stated aim is to simplify tourist diving on El Toro.

Basic diving-safety rules remain the responsibility of the state. The Balearic Government can set its own implementing rules in the area.

New framework for fishing guilds

The same decree replaces the rules for the Balearic Islands' 16 fishing guilds, known locally as cofradías de pescadores, and their federation. The previous framework dated from 1995, and the government says technological and administrative changes had left parts of it outdated.

The new rules are intended to make the guilds' day-to-day work easier through simpler administration and electronic management. They also set out principles including legality, equality, accounting transparency and internal democracy, while encouraging collaboration with scientific bodies.

Topics: Tourism · Politics · Calvià

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com