The Balearic Islands, encompassing Menorca, Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera, have passed new measures to benefit sustainable tourism. Among them, the islands will raise the tax paid by tourists during peak months, and lower the speed of boats at the Freu de sa Dragonera Marine Reserve.
Marine reserves are areas where the exploitation of living marine resources is limited to protect and restore marine species and fragile ecosystems. In the Balearic islands, they are also a fisheries management tool to recover commercial fish populations, conserve natural marine habitats and help professional small-scale fishing.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment has determined that boats in the Freu de sa Dragonera Marine Reserve can go no faster than 10 knots (1.85 kph or 11.5 mph) in order to protect the creatures in the marine reserve.
“It has been proven that underwater noise of human origin has harmful effects on marine biodiversity,” said Director General of Fisheries, Antoni M. Grau. “Therefore, it is necessary that in areas of great biological value measures are taken to mitigate it. In areas of high maritime traffic, such as the Freu de sa Dragonera, noise is closely linked to the speed of navigation of boats, and to reduce it, it is essential to regulate navigation speed.”
More than 15 million people visited the Balearic Islands, an archipelago off the eastern coast of Spain, last year.
“This measure will mainly contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and marine resources, which will favor the artisanal fishing sector and economic activities related to fish observation,” said Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment Joan Simonet.
The Order also establishes a high protection zone, located within this Marine Reserve, around the islets of Calafats with the aim of promoting non-extractive economic activities linked to marine resources.
The Balearics have also decided to raise sustainable tourism taxes during the peak months of June, July and August. The lowest tax rates will rise from €1 to €2.5 per night and the highest rates will go from €4 to €6 per night. For cruise ship visitors the price will go from €2 to €6 per night. The government is also considering raising a tax on rental cars to reduce emissions on the islands.
