Posidonia returns to Sant Josep as a natural barrier against storms

Once the high season has ended, the Sant Josep Town Council has begun the work of returning the removed seagrass.

This operation will continue until October 30th. The initiative, which started on the 20th, aims to protect the municipality’s beaches and ensure the natural retention of sand against winter storms.

The return of posidonia creates a natural barrier on the beach, allowing sand that may have been displaced during removal operations to be recovered and ensuring that posidonia continues to perform its key ecological and protective role in the natural formation of beaches. It retains and stabilizes sand, making its function essential.

Felicia Bocú, Councilor for Environment, Sustainability, and Coastline, explained details of the campaign. In this regard, she highlighted: "This is a process we carry out every year, mainly because we are aware that if we don’t return the posidonia, we don’t have a beach. It is an essential gesture to maintain the natural balance of our coastline and ensure its long-term conservation."

This year, to avoid disrupting businesses and concessionaires that may still be open, the work will begin in areas with lower occupancy or in the process of closing. In all cases, the posidonia is always returned to the same beach from which it was removed, following technical and environmental criteria.

In Portmany Bay, the return will be carried out in coordination with local fishermen, especially on the beaches of Punta Xinxó and s’Estanyol – sa Flama, to avoid interfering with moixó fishing.

It is important to remember that posidonia management in the municipality is carried out in accordance with Decree 25/2018 and the guidelines of the Govern, included in the annual authorizations for its management. In this regard, the Sant Josep Town Council has long applied technical criteria to reduce the impact of removal operations, minimizing sediment loss and maintaining the natural profile of the beaches.

Posidonia, both living and dead, plays an essential role in protecting the coastline: its dead leaves accumulated on the shore soften the force of the waves, retain sand, and reduce erosion caused by storms. Additionally, its presence promotes the natural formation of the beach, as over time these materials integrate into the sediment.

The return policy implemented by the Sant Josep Town Council “prevents tons of posidonia from being sent to the landfill, resulting in economic savings and environmental benefits. Once returned, nature takes its course until the start of the new season,” the council stated in a press release.