ADN Mediterráneo sets free anchoring on sandy seabeds as a red line

The recent publication on the installation of a new ecological mooring buoy field in Portals Vells, reported by various media outlets, has once again placed the management of anchoring along the Balearic coastline at the center of the debate, as well as the balance between environmental protection and the traditional use of the sea.

ADN Mediterráneo welcomes any initiative that contributes to the preservation of Posidonia oceanica, a key ecosystem for Mediterranean biodiversity. However, they warn that the proliferation and design of multiple buoy fields across the archipelago cannot come at the expense of restricting historic navigation rights or creating new safety and access problems.

ADN Mediterráneo establishes as a non-negotiable red line the defense of free anchoring for boats on sandy seabeds. This practice, fully compatible with the conservation of posidonia when carried out responsibly, forms part of Mediterranean nautical culture and should not be restricted by excessive planning or poorly dimensioned buoy fields.

Likewise, the board of ADN Mediterráneo urges the authorities to ensure that new buoy fields meet safety standards appropriate to the real conditions of the Balearic Sea. It is unacceptable for these installations not to be designed to withstand common situations such as winds above 10 knots, a frequent circumstance during any summer day with embat. The safety of vessels and their crews must be a priority, avoiding risks arising from insufficient moorings or poorly designed infrastructure.

Another key aspect is the economic one. ADN Mediterráneo considers it essential that these services be affordably priced and include discounts for residents, as well as favorable conditions for vessels based in Balearic ports. If these measures are not considered, a significant imbalance would be created between local boaters and visiting vessels, unfairly penalizing those who make regular and responsible use of our waters.

ADN Mediterráneo extends a hand to the authorities, managers, and all parties involved to work together in finding a point of balance between boaters and the design and use of these new facilities. A balance that allows the shared use of the coastline by bathers, sports enthusiasts, and boaters, while at the same time guaranteeing the preservation of the marine environment.

The future of the Balearic coastline must be built through consensus, proportionality, and knowledge of the territory, avoiding one-size-fits-all solutions that fail to take into account the reality of those who use the sea.