Mallorca method pitched to restore Balearic bays

A method developed in Portocolom, on Mallorca in Spain’s Balearic Islands, could help guide the recovery of shallow bays across the islands. Tourism companies and marine conservation groups want the Balearic government to make it easier to use private money for that work. Representatives of RIU, Universal Hotels and TUI joined the Cleanwave and Marilles foundations at a meeting with the government on Thursday.

Cleanwave proposed the Portocolom method as a possible starting point, but its use has not been agreed. The responsible ministry said an advisory committee would need to consider it. According to Cleanwave, projects, scientific research and private contributions are already available to support the wider plan.

The bays contain underwater meadows and forests of large algae that give many species shelter and places to breed. Cleanwave says recovery will also require measures to reduce pressure on those habitats, with restoration where it is needed and technically possible.

For now, the rules setting out the plan are still being prepared. The measures and the money needed for them have yet to be settled. The ministry has promised to review objections to the draft and work towards a final version by the end of the year. Cleanwave says the first advisory committee meeting is intended for January or February 2027, once the relevant specialists have joined.

Topics: Sea & coast · Environment · Felanitx

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com