Marine campaign reaches Calvia

The lack of protection of underwater areas, the pressure of tourism, and lack of a co-ordinated management plan for coastal areas are the factors which contribute most to the degradation of Majorca, according to the World Wildlife Fund/Adena. This is the message of its campaign, sponsored by the Caja de Ahorros de Mediterráneo, which arrived in Calvia yesterday and will be in Santa Ponsa today. It has already visited other parts of the island such as Alcudia and its purpose is to inform people of the state of conservation of the marine ecosystems. It also explains the problems involved in preserving the marine environment, and possible solutions. Spokesman Jesus Cobo said yesterday that one of the best meadows of Neptune grass of the Balearics lies off the coast of Calvia, opposite one of the areas with the greatest pressure for development. He also underlined the importance of reefs and underwater caves. Neus Pacheco, the Palmanova representative of the Calvia council, said that one of the steps the council will take to protect the Neptune grass will be to limit the number of moorings, as “boats are the chief culprits in destroying these meadows.” WWF/Adena has also expressed its concern for the growing tourist development in Majorca, even though 66 per cent of the Balearic coast line is, in theory, protected.