Boats left on Estany des Peix waterline get heave-ho

The Formentera Council's Office of Environment reports that thirteen ships—auxiliary vessels, mostly, as well as two trailers, five windsurf boards and one kayak—have been hauled away from the lake known as Estany des Peix since last September.

The operation was carried out only after checks of the area confirmed the boats were, if not abandoned, at least likely polluters in the event adverse weather were to cause a vessel to run aground or sink, provoking, in consequence, fuel spills.

The Council may contact the appropriate authorities, whether Demarcació de Costes or the regional environment department-controlled Ses Salines reserve, to order the immediate removal of boats or other floating craft which could contain hazardous-waste pollutants or pose a threat to other navigators. If the time since a ship's most recent activity exceeds one month, and it occupies a public shore, the vessel may be considered waste, in which case the Formentera Council can order its removal and levy a corresponding fine.

Trumpeting the Estany des Peix's distinction as a protected public space, environment councillor Daisee Aguilera advocated a return to traditional uses of the lake as well as a dial-down of the commercial pressure it endures today.

Currently in the works is a proposal by the Formentera Council to regulate moorage of watercraft in the prized natural space.