After consulting with the public and reviewing applications, the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that the Governing Board has approved provisional assignments of ecological moorings under the project to regulate and recover Estany des Peix.

The list was published today on the Consell de Formentera bulletin board and in the minutes section of the Governing Board on the Consell website here.

The 285 approved moorings—78 on floating pontoons and 207 low-impact anchorages—represent the maximum number permitted in Ses Salines Park. Of those, 137 have preferential rights because applicants demonstrated they had begun anchoring in Estany des Peix before the Natural Resources Management Plan (Pla de Ordenació dels Recursos Naturals) took effect 5 July 2002.

Recovering a degraded area
"We are in the final phase of a complex, pioneering project that has been widely backed by the society of Formentera. It will allow us to recover a protected area that has been severely degraded by the large number of anchored boats and many years of unregulated and unauthorised activities", said Antoni Tur, environment councillor.

Informing users
In a process that will be based on vessel type, including features like length, beam and draft, and on boat owners themselves, such as whether they are elderly or have mobility problems, buoy and pontoon numbers will be determined and communicated in the coming days. Boats not authorised for the mooring points cannot be anchored in Estany des Peix due to environmental concerns and the carefully safeguarded space and natural beauty.

Once the locations of mooring assignments are communicated, boat owners will receive complete details about conditions and proper use of the equipment associated with the new regulatory scheme.

Clearing 1,700 deadweight anchors, 500 kg of debris and a dozen abandoned boats
Cleaning operations are also centring on the Estany des Peix shoreline, where debris from abandoned boats and buoys often accumulate. According to Councillor Tur, cleanup of the seabed meant removing more than 1,700 deadweight anchors, 500 kg of debris and waste, a dozen abandoned boats and three sunken vessels.

Questions? The Consell provides assistance through the Office of Environment via telephone (971321210) and email (mediambient@conselldeformentera.cat).

24 April 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Environment of the Consell de Formentera has begun a push to naturally curb mosquitoes and chironomids in the wetlands of Ses Salines Park (Estany Pudent, Estany des Peix and Salines d'en Marroig) where the larvae develop. Antoni Tur, environment councillor, said that the campaign would require 32 days, from summer to late October, and "could be extended if mosquito numbers spike this year".

Mosquito and chironomid populations are controlled preventively by acting on insect larvae with Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis, a natural form of treatment.

To avoid a proliferation of mosquitoes, the Office of Environment advises islanders to follow a series of measures at home to take aim at mosquito breeding sites, such as emptying water from remaining stagnant in containers; maintaining proper chlorine levels in pools and wash basins; covering wells and cisterns with mosquito nets; making sure that water does not accumulate in flowerpots and dishes, and changing the water in animal troughs every two or three days. In general, islanders should do their best to keep water from remaining in stagnant puddles.

19 April 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Environment of Consell de Formentera, in collaboration with Ca Na Negreta, the public limited company charged with removing and managing hazardous waste, is launching a campaign to remove fibre cement from local homes. Interested parties have until 19 May to register at the OVAC.

The Consell subsidises the costs of removal and of the special sacks used to transport the material. Service recipients must pay an associated fee according to the type and volume of waste removed.

Legislation on waste and contaminating soils for a circular economy which was promulgated 8 April of last year (Ley 7/2022) requires that fibre cement be removed and decontaminated. The latter must be done according to a specific safety protocol. "Given the process must be done in a controlled manner, it is important that authorised centres perform the removal", explained Antoni Tur, environment councillor.

For more information, visit the Office of Environment (Àrea de Medi Ambient) at Carrer Mallorca, 15 (Baixos) in Sant Ferran, or contact the office by phone (971 32 12 10) or e-mail (medioambient@conselldeformentera.cat).

18 April 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

In recent days the Office of Environment of the Consell de Formentera has launched cockroach disinfestation operations in the main urban centres of the island and municipal facilities. After anti-roach treatments in schools during the Easter holidays, operations will focus on Sant Francesc and Sant Ferran before moving on to Formentera's other urban areas.

Cockroach control is performed periodically and increased if the presence of these insects increases. A pest control company conducts the process using authorised products, which are applied in the sewage system and municipal buildings.

Questions? Contact the Office of Environment by phone at 971 32 10 87 or e-mail at mediambient@conselldeformentera.cat.

12 April 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera