The promoter group of the Marine Forum of Ibiza and Formentera has formalized a request to the public administrations, delivering a package of 26 technical measures aimed at strengthening the protection of the Balearic Sea. These proposals, which have been agreed by specialists, derive from the conclusions reached during the working tables held on October 14, as part of the seventh edition of the Forum.
The measures were sent to the Government of Spain, the Government of the Balearic Islands, the Island Councils of Ibiza and Formentera, and the town councils of Ibiza, Santa Eulària des Riu, Sant Antoni de Portmany, Sant Josep de sa Talaia and Sant Joan de Labritja.
According to IbizaPreservation, a member of the promoting team, the measures have already been officially registered, and meetings have been requested with each administration involved in the care of the sea to follow up on the proposals and promote their implementation. The organizing team, which includes the Pacha Foundation, Trasmapi, Insotel, Marina Ibiza, OD Group, The White Angel, Marilles Foundation and Vellmarí, insists that they seek to “move from reflection to action”.
Focus on posidonia
The technical round tables of the Marine Forum 2025 were held under the title “From diagnosis to action: the future of posidonia meadows”. These sessions brought together more than twenty specialists in climate change, marine pollution and conservation of coastal ecosystems, together with representatives from the municipal and regional technical spheres, the scientific community, the private sector and social organizations.
The thematic axes addressed included the impact of climate change and sea temperature, marine pollution by spills and microplastics, and the critical situation of Posidonia oceanica, with special attention to Talamanca Bay. Leading scientists such as Dr. Rohan Arthur, Dr. Núria Marbà and Dr. Salud Deudero participated in the elaboration of the document.
Inma Saranova, director of IbizaPreservation, stressed that the focus of the Forum has changed: “we no longer talk about diagnosing problems, but about implementing solutions”. She recalled that the tables counted on the participation of the administration precisely to guarantee the assumption of responsibilities.
Key technical proposals
The 26 measures are concrete actions that administrations can implement as a matter of urgency. Among the actions requested are:
- Emission Reduction: It calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially in the transportation (air, land and marine) and energy production sectors. For air transport, reducing the number of flights is considered the only efficient measure at present. For land transport, the focus should be on reducing mobility and discouraging the use of private vehicles.
- Water Management: Improve wastewater treatment systems, prioritizing the expansion of wastewater treatment plants at peak production. It also requires the obligation to have separate sewage networks to prevent rainwater from entering the treatment circuit. The traceability of discharges is requested and that wastewater outfalls and desalination plants be located far from sensitive habitats, such as Posidonia oceanica.
- Surveillance and Ecosystems: Strengthen the marine surveillance network by investing in real-time ocean monitoring systems, including buoys and sensors. It also calls for the control of invasive species such as Rugulopteryx okamurae or Caulerpa cylindracea, which directly threaten posidonia, requesting urgent monitoring systems and follow-up protocols.
- Coastal and Nautical Protection: Establish strict environmental criteria in coastal planning, incorporating the evaluation of the real carrying capacity of the environment before new infrastructures. Regarding Posidonia, the aim is to reinforce the effectiveness of boat anchoring control, establishing regulated and ecological zones, accompanied by effective sanctions against illegal or negligent anchoring.
Dr. Esteban Morelle-Hungria, coordinator of the roundtables, insisted that the proposals are not “mere abstract suggestions”, but technical actions that must be implemented immediately. He stated that it would be irresponsible not to act now, given that the power of adaptation and mitigation to protect the coastline and marine ecosystems lies in the hands of those in power.
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