The Formentera Office of Environment (Conselleria de Medi Ambient, CMAF) is pleased to report that yesterday the Governing Board approved a list including assessment of the applications for ecological moorings at Estany des Peix. After evaluation and ranking of all the applications submitted, publication of the list will be followed by a period of seven working days during which time individuals may submit required documentation and comments. The list appears in today's publication of the government commission minutes section on the Consell de Formentera website.

A total of 489 applications were submitted for 285 moorings, the number of moorings authorised in Ses Salines Natural Reserve. Sixty-two applications were rejected due to non-compliance with the terms as stated in the regulations governing mooring and the legal regime for mooring equipment. Of the applications reviewed, 139 are classed as preferential because applicants submitted proof that they anchored in Estany des Peix before 5 July 2002, when the Natural Resources Management Plan (Pla d'Ordenació dels Recursos Naturals) took effect.

Antoni Tur, councillor of environment, remarked that "for many years Formentera residents have campaigned to preserve Estany des Peix, and this must be done by ordering and regulating. The current situation of overcrowded anchored boats and unlawful and non-regulated activities that have been carried out there for many years presented a risk to the environment".

Traditional use and priority ranking
Regulations approved by the Consell de Formentera assembly, which took effect 9 March, prioritise watercraft whose use is part of established tradition. Priority is also given to small-sized boats and those with minimal engine power, as well as those whose anchorage at Estany des Peix is long standing. Additional points go to subsidised traditional boats, retired users and large families.

Once again, Councillor Tur apologised for the inconvenience that works have caused to Estany des Peix users, and he thanked them for "their understanding, patience and collaboration" over the course of the project. "We are working to protect our natural environment and to provide solutions for recreational boating on Formentera." Councillor Tur also highlighted "the tremendous work of CMAF's technical and administrative personnel in developing this ambitious and unprecedented project in the Balearic Islands."

Meanwhile, efforts are under way to finalise the technical solution agreed with the administration of Ses Salines Nature Reserve to site the last ecological moorings to complete the sustainable anchoring project.

Questions? Contact  the CMAF by phone at 971321210 and by email at mediambient@conselldeformentera.cat.

30 November 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Yesterday in Palma, the Consell de Formentera received Rezero's award for its spearheading of pioneering initiatives to protect the environment. Premios Rezero celebrate initiatives that work towards zero waste in the categories of administration, trade, associations and businesses. The Consell de Formentera was honoured for leading the way with policies to eliminate disposable bags and plastics, as a member of the "Zero Waste Cities" network, through waste-free menstrual education campaigns, and for implementing, with encouragement from the Balearic government, a deposit, return and refund scheme for packaging that stands as a model for the other Balearic Islands. Antoni Tur, councillor of environment, accepted the award from Miquel Mir, Balearic minister of environment.

28 October 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Today, on World Breast Cancer Day, President Ana Juan, Vice President Alejandra Ferrer and Councillor of Environment Antoni Tur, together with Pepita Gabaldar, president of the local chapter of the Spanish Cancer Association (AECC), and Ivan Tolsa, of Ecovidrio, presented 'Recicla vidrio por ellas' ('Recycle glass for them'), a campaign backed by the Consell de Formentera and Ecovidrio in collaboration with the Balearic government and the Sandra Ibarra Cancer Foundation.

The campaign, now in its eighth year, underscores the importance of caring for the environment and health through prevention.

According to the most recent data available, in 2021 Formentera recycled a total of 972.92 tonnes of glass containers – a per-person average of 83.1 kilogrammes. Ecovidrio will transform glass containers deposited in the containers into a donation to the Sandra Ibarra Cancer Foundation. The pink containers are located in the Plaça de la Constitució in Sant Francesc.

25 October 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

Today the Formentera Office of Environment initiated efforts to control rat populations in towns on the island. Crews began work in Sant Francesc and Sant Ferran, and in the coming weeks will continue in the other towns.

Rodent control involves setting bait in the most representative locations and periodically checking them to assess their condition.

The Consell de Formentera has contracted a specialised company to carry out the operations. The approximate cost of the campaign, including an option for roach control in the summer, is €14,000 (VAT included).

5 October 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera