20/07/2013 00:00
TW
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A report from the organisation Ecologists in Action gives a total of 45 “black flags”, and identifies 51 “black spots” in the Balearics.
The report defines “black flag” areas as those areas in which aggressive human action is destroying the ecosystems and “black spots” as areas where this action is less aggressive.

The Balearics is second only to Andalucia (50) in the number of “black flags” it has been given, and in third place in the “black spot” category, behind Murcia (63) and Andalucia (56).

In the case of Majorca, the environmental organisation locates its “black flags” and “black spots” in the areas of Calvia, Campos, Palma, Felanitx, Pollensa, Muro, Andratx, Arta, Banyalbufar, Santanyi, Manacor, Capdepera, Ses Salines, Deya, Estellencs, Valldemossa, Soller, Santa Margalida, Son Servera and Llucmajor.

The aggressive actions on the Balearic coast cited and denounced by Ecologists in Action are very varied and the report mentions different activities: building on public land, the construction and extension of leisure ports, building new towns, golf courses, the construction of sports and commercial centres, the destruction or decline of dune systems, the construction and extension of hotels, water treatment plants which don't function well, the occupation of wetlands, salinization and contamination of springs, dredging, removal of sand, and the construction of promenades.

The report highlights the sewage treatment centres on the coast which do not provide tertiary treatment (or it does not work well) so the water exceeds the legal limits for nitrogen and phosphates.

The study also refers to known activities, such as the extension to the Formentor hotel and the Port Adriano leisure port in Calvia, and the development of the Ses Fontanelles wetland area in Palma. The report also criticises the maintenance of the illegal construction in Ses Covetes in Campos.

Ecologists in Action also mention activities which have stopped for the moment, such as the construction of the new Palma sea front and the extension of the Yacht Club in S'Estanyol.