Balearic Association of Yacht Clubs insists: the idea to amend the port law is ours

The Balearic Association of Yacht Clubs (ACNB) wants to make it clear, for the public record and in the interest of truth, that the proposal to reform the Balearic Port Law is an initiative of this organization, which represents 24 sports clubs across the archipelago.

The purpose of the proposal is to effectively protect yacht clubs from the growing process of port gentrification occurring in the islands, after four of its members lost their concessions.

Therefore, contrary to public claims, the association emphasizes that the Minister of the Sea, Juan Manuel Lafuente, did not lead this proposal, despite assertions made by PSIB deputy Marc Pons and, by extension, the party he represents in the Parliament of the Balearic Islands. The ACNB insists that Pons himself is fully aware that the initiative originates from the ACNB, as members of his party were personally informed and invited to join the proposal to achieve maximum consensus for its consideration and potential approval following the proper legislative process and amendments.

It is worth noting that Balearic yacht clubs represent more than 20,000 members who, naturally, have diverse political views. These are cross-cutting organizations and a model of coexistence amid the polarization that unfortunately dominates public life in recent years. It is not the role of this association or its board to engage in political debates. For this reason, it cannot allow its legitimate proposal to protect the clubs, ensuring their continuity and the important sporting and social work they carry out, to be politicized or misrepresented.

The ACNB reiterates: the idea to amend the Port Law comes from the Balearic Association of Yacht Clubs, not from the Balearic Government.

The ACNB has no objection, and has even offered, to present and defend its proposal before parliamentary groups if deemed necessary, even a second time. Following the debate in the Parliament last week, a date is being sought for a meeting with the MÉS per Mallorca group, after no response was received to the first request.

Regarding the content of the proposal and the core issue that truly matters to members and users of the yacht clubs, the ACNB reminds that similar proposals were presented during the previous legislature, to the extent that the former government even drafted a text that, for some reason, was left in a drawer.

The main objective of the initiative is to protect yacht clubs and ensure their continuity. The measure aligns regional regulations with national law concerning the conditions and terms for the extension of concessions. These extensions are not automatic; they are contingent on investments aimed at improving the port network and supporting the sports programs that have made the Balearic Islands one of the world’s leading powers in sports such as sailing and canoeing.

Ultimately, the ACNB trusts that the debate in defense of yacht clubs will remain focused on its natural course and will not be used to fuel tension or erode the constructive dialogue that citizens expect from political parties and the deputies who represent them.