The first Nautical Table defines the joint work direction between the Govern and the sector

The president of the Govern de les Illes Balears, Margalida Prohens, presided today over the establishment of the Nautical Table, a key forum aimed at coordinating and supervising actions that ensure sustainable development of the nautical sector in the Islands.

Accompanied by the Minister of the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente, Prohens emphasized the relevance of this Table: "We are islands, we are a land surrounded by the sea. The sea is part of our character and our way of being. We are a land where many live the sea with passion, who love it, enjoy it, take care of it, and this is something that the administrations must understand and, of course, this Govern understands.”

One of the main focuses of the Nautical Table is to ensure that the activity of the nautical sector is carried out minimizing environmental impact, especially in the most crowded mooring areas during the high season. Prohens highlighted the need to protect essential habitats such as the posidonia meadows, crucial for marine biodiversity: "It is essential that the nautical sector becomes an ally in the preservation of our marine resources.”

During the celebration of the first Nautical Table, the importance of regulation and control in this sector was also highlighted, mentioning the review of Decree 21/2017, which regulates the rental of boats and recreational vessels in the Balears, with the goal of simplifying administrative management and improving efficiency in the application of the regulations. “Collaboration between institutions such as Customs, the Civil Guard, and the General Directorate of Fisheries is key to combating illegal offerings and ensuring that nautical activities respect the legal and environmental framework,” Lafuente affirmed.

Another fundamental pillar that has been discussed at the Table is environmental education. In order to foster a culture of respect and responsibility towards the sea from an early age, the Govern has announced the launch of the "Blue Week" for the 2024-2025 school year. This educational initiative, aimed at children, will include nautical activities and workshops on marine conservation, in collaboration with entities from the nautical sector.

The saturation of vessels in the waters of the Balears has been another priority issue addressed during the meeting. Prohens acknowledged that nautical overcrowding poses serious challenges for the environment and the quality of life in the Islands. In response to this, measures will be studied to improve buoy management and establish limits in particularly sensitive areas, always based on technical and scientific studies that ensure a balance between economic development and environmental protection.

President Prohens highlighted the notable increase in the initiation of sanctioning proceedings for illegal activities in the nautical sector, emphasizing that “the increase in inspections and sanctions reflects our commitment to a rigorous and sustainable management of the sector.” As of August 23, 2024, 184 inspections have been carried out and approximately 150 sanctioning proceedings are expected to be opened. This contrasts with the entire year of 2023, when 109 inspections were conducted and 125 sanctioning proceedings were initiated.Contenido del blog (en)