La entrada Work begins on the large irrigation project with reclaimed water in Formentera se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>Start of work and contracts in progress
Fernandez has confirmed that the works have already begun with the levelling of the land and the construction of the settling tank, in addition to the processing of the main contracts necessary to execute the project. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment emphasizes that this action is key to ensure the viability of the agricultural sector in an area with severe water limitations.
During the meeting, the general manager has detailed to the irrigators the remodeling of the irrigation network, which aims to redirect water to the plots with greater productive capacity. This approach will involve closing the supply in some plots and opening it in others, in order to optimize the use of reclaimed water, whose quality and availability have improved, according to the analyses carried out.
Regional financing and European funds
The project has a direct subsidy of almost 740,000 euros from the Balearic Government to the irrigation community of Formentera, to which is added a contribution of nearly 900,000 euros from the Ministry, from European funds channeled through the agreement with the Sociedad Mercantil Estatal de Infraestructuras Agrarias (Seiasa). The work was commissioned to Tragsa in August, and the act of commencement of the execution was signed in October.
Fernandez recalled that the community of irrigators agreed to remove the hydrants not registered in the Balearic Island Agricultural Registers (RIA), a measure whose implementation now corresponds to the Directorate General. In addition, he pointed out that the new connection requests have been reviewed and that the most appropriate location will be analyzed to relocate them according to the efficiency of the system.
Training and environmental priority
A training meeting is scheduled for next March aimed at the island’s irrigators, as part of the Regional Ministry’s strategy to promote the reuse of reclaimed water for agricultural purposes. This line of action seeks to strengthen the water resilience of the primary sector, improve efficiency in the use of resources and preserve the environment and the territory.
The general director stressed that the regenerated water optimization project is the only infrastructure of its kind in Formentera and is essential to sustain the local agricultural sector. «Itis not only a commitment to sustainability, but a necessity to ensure the future of the sector in a context of drought and structural limitation of water resources,» he said.
Stability for farms
The action will provide a stable and adequate water supply for agricultural activity on an island marked by the scarcity of conventional resources and the high salinity of wells, factors that limit the agricultural use of water. The ultimate goal is to ensure adequate water quality and provide stability to farms, contributing to the maintenance of the agricultural landscape of Formentera.
La entrada Work begins on the large irrigation project with reclaimed water in Formentera se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada Almost all of Ibiza, in red: high alert for forest fires activated se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>Almost the entire island, in red
According to the daily map of fire risk published on the portal Alertafoc of the Balearic Government, all the municipalities of Ibiza appear today in red color, corresponding to Alert Foc 4, with the only exception of Sant Joan de Labritja, which remains in Alert Foc 2, of moderate or high risk; the island of Formentera also appears in this intermediate level. In all cases, the authorities insist on the need to take extreme precautions and to consult the current regulations before any activity involving the use of fire in rural areas.
The Foc 4 Alert category is declared when the meteorological risk of forest fire is «very high or extreme», which automatically activates additional restrictions with respect to other levels: from the prohibition to light fires on any forest land to the temporary suspension of authorizations to burn stubble, permanent pastures, pruning and forestry debris.
Today, Monday, November 24, the maximum forest fire danger level in Eivissal is #AlertaFoc4.
Consult the regulations for the use of fire and creams, as well as their possible suspension, at https://t.co/YRU4FHGj7j.
Remember that it is forbidden to burn in forest areas. pic.twitter.com/HTPIe0sww0
– Conselleria d’Agricultura, Pesca i Medi Natural (@AgriculturaGOIB) November 24, 2025
No fires in the bush and in recreational areas
With the maximum level in force, it is strictly forbidden to light fires in forest areas, including pine forests and scrubland on the island, due to the high risk that any spark or ignition could turn into a large fire. This restriction also extends to recreational areas, camping areas and rest areas of the road network, even in the points specifically designated for barbecues in periods of lower risk.
The Regional Ministry reminds that, while the Foc 4 Alert is maintained, all previously granted authorizations for agricultural burning are suspended, both for stubble and for permanent pastures and pruning or silvicultural residues.
Restrictions on machinery and pyrotechnical material
Another key measure is the ban on machinery and equipment that can generate sparks, deflagrations or electrical discharges on forest land and in a 400-meter band around it. Their use is only allowed if expressly authorized by the competent body or if they are essential for extinguishing fires, in accordance with the Govern’s fire regulations.
It is also prohibited the introduction and use of pyrotechnic material in the vicinity of the forest, except in urban areas located more than 500 meters from the forest area. The regulation also reminds that throwing cigarette butts, burning objects or any material likely to cause a fire is a serious offense, especially on days with maximum alert level.
The authorities stress that public cooperation is essential to prevent new outbreaks and protect both the natural environment and the safety of residents and visitors. The Balearic Executive insists that, in adverse weather conditions such as today, a minimum carelessness can trigger a fire of great magnitude.
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La entrada Almost all of Ibiza, in red: high alert for forest fires activated se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada Fishermen from Ibiza and Formentera promote a pioneering plan to remove ghost nets from the sea se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>During the meeting, which was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, fishermen’s guilds, scientists and environmental organizations, the results of the last season were discussed and new measures were analyzed to move towards a «more sustainable fishing and adapted to the socio-economic reality of the Balearic Islands», as reported by the Conselleria.
Among the topics discussed was the proposal of the Balearic Government to set a minimum size of ‘cerviola’, as well as the initiative of the Consell de Formentera to modify the marine reserves of the island, in order to ensure a balance between conservation and fishing activity.
Training and technological control in fisheries
The session also served to present the fishing effort monitoring data obtained through electronic positioners or «green boxes», which allow to control the routes and tasks of artisanal vessels. Likewise, the Cofradía de Sant Antoni proposed modifying the setting period of the gear for lobster catching, while the Marilles Foundation announced the celebration of a course on good practices for releasing sharks and rays caught accidentally.
According to the Conselleria, «these co-management spaces, integrated by administrations, fishermen’s associations, scientists and environmental organizations, are essential to guarantee the environmental, economic and social sustainability of artisanal fishing in the Balearic Islands».
Results of the 2024-2025 campaign
Regarding the Plan for Fishing with Traditional Fishing Gear, the Directorate General of Fisheries presented the results of the 2024-2025 campaign, with more than 27 tons of fish caught and a total value of more than 290,000 euros. In addition, the Govern informed of the request for a new extension before the European Commission to maintain the derogation provided for in Regulation (EC) 1967/2006, which regulates traditional gears in the Mediterranean.
La entrada Fishermen from Ibiza and Formentera promote a pioneering plan to remove ghost nets from the sea se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada The Govern declares health emergency for bluetongue in Ibiza and Formentera se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>As reported by the Government in a statement, the doses of serotype 3 will be administered in parallel to the planned campaign, inoculating the whole of the Pitiusan herd.
«A single very localized case has been detected, and we do not want to generate unnecessary alarms,» explained the Director General of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Fernando Fernandez, who confirmed that the outbreak has already been registered in the Veterinary Health Alert System (RASVE).
The resolution declaring the health emergency in the Pitiusas will be published this Tuesday in the Official Bulletin of the Balearic Islands (BOIB). The measures will be equivalent to those adopted in Mallorca, where the first positive serotype 3 was reported in early October.
Vaccination progress in Mallorca
In Mallorca, the vaccination campaign against serotype 3 is progressing «at a good pace», according to data from the Government. Until November 5, 79% of the sheep census in the priority radius of 10 kilometers is already fully immunized. In the island as a whole, the percentage reaches 55.7% of sheep and 30% of cattle.
Fernandez stressed that the vaccination strategy has slowed the spread of the disease, with 82% of the outbreaks concentrated in the west of the island and only 14 of the 80 cases in the eastern part.
Serotype 8 and situation in the Balearic Islands
In addition, at the end of October the second year of vaccination of serotype 8 was launched throughout the archipelago. In Mallorca, 33.7% of the sheep population of the livestock health defense groups (ADS) has been vaccinated, while in Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera the campaign began this week and now reaches 7% of the total population.
No outbreak of serotype 8 has been detected in the Balearic Islands this year. If the situation remains stable, the Government will be able to request the European Union to declare a bluetongue-free zone for this serotype in 2026.
La entrada The Govern declares health emergency for bluetongue in Ibiza and Formentera se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>La entrada Avian flu activates health reinforcement in different points of Ibiza and Formentera se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
]]>The general director of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development, Fernando Fernández, has described the situation as «critical», although he has sent a message of «tranquility» to the population. «Analyses of dead wild birds on the Islands have been negative,» he said, stressing that the surveillance program remains active with annual tests on poultry farms.
Special surveillance zones in Ibiza and Formentera
In the case of the Pitiusas, the measures directly affect the municipalities of Ibiza, Formentera, Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, Santa Eulària des Riu and Ses Salines, considered special surveillance zones according to Order APA/2442/2006.
This implies the prohibition of raising poultry outdoors, unless exceptionally authorized with aviary fabrics or devices that prevent contact with wild birds. The use of untreated water from reservoirs accessible to wild birds and the participation of poultry in fairs, exhibitions or cultural celebrations are also prohibited.
«Wetlands are the environments we monitor most closely,» Fernandez explained, alluding to the fact that the risk increases with migratory movements and lower temperatures.
A total of 83 outbreaks in Spain
The Ministry currently counts 14 outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry and 69 in wild birds in the national territory. The situation has led to the activation of all the measures foreseen in the prevention regulations, which include the prohibition of raising ducks and geese together with other domestic species and the reinforcement of biosecurity in poultry farms.
The autonomous communities may apply additional restrictions depending on the epidemiological evolution. In the Balearic Islands, the regional resolution with the specific measures will be published at the beginning of next week, after the meeting of the Rasve Committee with the Ministry.
La entrada Avian flu activates health reinforcement in different points of Ibiza and Formentera se publicó primero en La Voz De Ibiza.
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