Eight Beaches in Menorca Restore Up to 449 Cubic Meters of Posidonia in November

The Insular Council of Menorca, through the Beach Cleaning Service of the Department of Environment, Biosphere Reserve, and Cooperation, is carrying out this November the return of the posidonia removed from the beaches during the summer. This action aims to protect the beaches from the impact of winter storms. Moreover, with the return of the posidonia to its original place, the sand that was removed, which is part of the natural coastal system, is also recovered.

During the summer season, piles of posidonia are removed from the front line of the sea, especially on urban beaches with high user and tourist services traffic, such as the rental of sunbeds and umbrellas. This posidonia is deposited in designated areas within the same natural beach system and, now, in autumn, it is returned to its original place. This process helps to prevent sand loss and reinforces the natural resilience of the coastline.

This year, the mechanical removal of posidonia has been carried out on eight beaches: Punta Prima, Cala en Bosc, Platja Gran, Cala Santandria, Macarella, Binibèquer, Cala Blanca, and Playas de Fornells. Punta Prima, with 161 m³, and Cala en Bosc, with 144 m³, account for 70% of the total moved, which amounts to 449 m³. This volume shows a downward trend compared to previous years: 1,920 m³ in 2022 and 660 m³ in 2023.

The councilor of Environment, Biosphere Reserve, and Cooperation, Simón Gornés, emphasized that “posidonia is essential for preserving our coastline. It is important that residents and visitors understand its crucial role in protecting our beaches. This return is an indispensable action to maintain natural balance. Additionally, this summer we conducted an informational campaign on the beaches to raise awareness among the population about its importance and promote an attitude of respect and responsibility towards this natural resource.”

Posidonia (Posidonia oceanica) is a protected marine plant that plays a crucial role in the coastal ecosystem of Menorca. Its dead leaves, accumulated on the beaches, are key to protecting them from erosion caused by storms and contribute a significant part of the sand that forms the coastline. This role is fundamental in a context of climate change, with more frequent and intense storms and rising sea levels.

Decree 25/2018 on the posidonia of the Balearic Islands regulates the removal and handling of this plant to ensure its protection and compatibility with the tourist use of the beaches. Removal is only permitted in urban areas and with a low frequency of storms, while on natural beaches it is authorizable on a case-by-case and justified basis.

Moreover, this summer the department conducted an awareness campaign to inform visitors and residents about the importance of posidonia, highlighting beaches with remnants of this plant and promoting normalization and acceptance.