Speaking earlier today, the councillor of environment of the Formentera Council, Daisee Aguilera, reported that “all the cruise ships that have made stops so far this season in Formentera's waters have done it in an area of the port without posidonia seagrass”. The feat reflects a commitment made by the Council last summer to preserve prairies of the seagrass in the waters of la Savina.

Aguilera said she was glad that “this summer we'll be able to balance tourist cruise liners with protection of the heritage plant, posidonia,” something the councillor called “a priority issue for the Council”. She also thanked entities like the Balearic port authority and the maritime authority, who made it possible for cruise ships to anchor away from the port zone proper, and ship operators for their participation. The Star flyer made a stop in Formentera May 4 and the Ocean Majesty on May 21. Most recently, the Artania pulled into port yesterday.

In all three cases, the Council contacted the port and maritime authorities, Autoritat Portuària de Balears and Capitania Marítima, to suggest alternatives to the ships dropping anchor on the posidonia-covered floor of la Savina port zone two. According to Aguilera, the Council proposed anchorage a mile northwest of the port, in a sandy area that is 40 metres deep, to avoid damage to prairies of Formentera's signature seagrass. The APB has reported that, for the time being, no more cruise ships are scheduled to dock at the island this summer.

This morning in the plenary hall of the Formentera Council, President Jaume Ferrer met with the newly-appointed minister of the president's office of the Govern Balear, Pilar Costa. CiF councillors Susana Labrador, of the Office of Culture and Patrimony, Alejandra Ferrer, of the Office of Land Use and Tourism, and Sònia Cardona, of the Office of Community Involvement, were also at the meeting. In addition, the officials were joined by the chair  of the Govern Balear Office of Institutional Relations and Exterior Action, Margalida Font. President Ferrer seized the opportunity to thank the minister for her first official visit to Formentera.

The site of Formentera's ferry landing in the Eivissa port was one of the main topics of discussion at the meeting. According to the CiF president, the administration had asked the Govern Balear to get involved to help the parties “reach a solution mindful of the needs of Formentera”. The regional minister, for her part, spoke of conversations she has had since taking office a month and a half ago. She affirmed her belief that a consensus is possible, pointing to assurances received from all sides “that an agreement on this can be reached.”

The officials also used the meeting to discuss a new law on the island councils. In President Ferrer's words, what is needed is “flexibility”. “Formentera is the island with the most at stake with this law,” he maintained, pointing to the fact that the legislation was produced at a time when the Formentera Council didn't yet exist. Minister Costa made assurances that Formentera would play a direct role in the law's drafting.

Minister Costa made assurances that the final version of the law, expected soon, would be marked by direct participation from Formentera representatives. The officials also spoke about the importance of transferring tourism promotions jurisdiction to the island councils. Lastly, the CiF president asked Minister Costa to push for the signing —either in Palma or Madrid— of a new roads agreement, which would allow for improvements on Formentera's roadways.