The coastal cleaning fleet will be operating all year round.

The coastal cleaning fleet will be operating all year round. | Majorca Daily Bulletin reporter

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma28/06/2018 00:00
TW

Keeping the coast of Majorca clean is becoming more and more challenging. Despite the efforts of numerous charities and volunteers, the government’s fleet of coastal cleaning vessels is collecting an average of 266 kilos of waste every day.

Since the start of this month 5.6 tons of waste has been scooped from the sea with the majority being either wood or plastic, the latter, as we now know, is killing our oceans.

Since the start of May a 30-strong fleet of coastal cleaning vessels has been combing the shores of the island and will continue to do so until the end of September.

According to the Minster for Agriculture and Fisheries, Vicenç Vidal, the public coastal cleaning service operated by the Balearic government is unique in the Mediterranean and that since the operation began in May, over 12 tons of waste has been removed from the sea.

“This is a staggering amount and is proof that we need to protect our coastline and that there needs to be greater public awareness.

We all have a roll to play,” the Minister said, before adding that the waste laws may be reviewed and tightened.

He also revealed that the end of the season will not mean the end of the cleaning operation. A certain section of the fleet will continue combing the coastline throughout the winter.