Last Sunday, July 24, an event planning firm contracted by individuals aboard Icon, a yacht wearing Dutch flags, set up catering facilities on public shoreline near kilometre nine of Migjorn beach. Using nautical equipment to cordon off a stretch of the beach, the company set out roughly 30 chairs and 10 tables before proceeding to array parasols and hammocks on the sand as well, to the chagrin of other beachgoers.
Formentera local police and a steward of the Balearic coast guard arrived at the scene and ordered the set-up to be taken down. The municipal employees have now drafted a report about the occurrence that will be passed on to the Formentera Council. According to CiF environment councillor Daisee Aguilera, the administration will now pass along the report to the regional coastal authority, Demarcació de Costes, which will issue a fine.
Aguilera took the opportunity to remind Formentera's visitors that organising events on public beaches, "much less sectioning off areas for private use, is strictly prohibited”. The Council, she said, hopes Sunday's occurrence will help ensure similar events aren't repeated in the future.