Alejandra Ferrer asks Govern to help Formentera restructure port and regulate anchorage along coastline

foto 2021 reunio presidentesConsell de Formentera President Alejandra Ferrer and Balearic First Minister Francina Armengol met today to discuss 14 projects adopted in 2015 which are currently being pursued by the island’s legislative body. Also on hand at the gathering were Vice-President Ana Juan and Councillor of Mobility and Territory Rafael González.

Ferrer’s assessment of the situation was positive, saying that “of 14 projects, seven —including an irrigation pond, new schools in Sant Ferran, a third cable at Es Ca Marí power station, a Comprehensive Care Centre for the Elderly (construction on the building is complete and work on the service road, street furniture and use regulations afoot), transfer of authority on tourism promotion and the formentera.eco project— are already underway”.

But the island’s top official added that other projects of paramount importance were still pending. She highlighted “the need for environmental protections at sea” and “concerns about the growing scale of the nautical sector” as central themes at the meeting.

On environmental stewardship, President Ferrer said Save Posidonia Project and associated projects that have received funding had served to provide Formentera with valuable insight on posidonia and the undersea environment. “This information won’t just help us moving foward as we work to safeguard our natural surroundings; it could also be of use to the rest of the islands”, she offered.

Port restructuring

Other pressing needs which President Ferrer raised with First Minister Armengol:

- To restructure the port and set a fixed number of ferry trips. (High-season totals can range from 140 to 160 passages per day with boats reporting average occupancy of less than 20%, an unsustainable situation on a line which traverses a natural reserve.)

- Public-use docks.

- Ad space in the port.

- A dry marina.

Ferrer held that "initiatives with roots off the island must adapt to our port infrastructure — not the other way around”. In that regard, she underscored the importance of “figuring out where the port is at in terms of the incoming people and vehicles —some on day trips, some from coastal vessels carrying large numbers of vehicles— that it can accommodate”.

And the island’s representatives once again pushed for a decree concerning maritime transport — of particular importance because, in Ferrer’s words, “it will ensure that ferry schedules between Eivissa and Formentera are designed to fit the needs and rights of the people of Formentera”.

Regulating anchorages

As for environmental protections at sea, and taking into account growing numbers of ships in the area, President Ferrer insisted on the need for “regulated anchorage adapted to the carrying capacity of our coast”.

President Ferrer said she hoped the measures would help preserve not only Formentera’s tourist attractions, but also more traditional aspects of the island, helping ensure that Formentera could be a source of enjoyment for residents as well. Lastly, Ferrer asked Armengol to see to it that the regional government  acted as “organiser and coordinator” for various agencies like Balearic Port Authorty, the Martime Authority, the coastal authority, the regional departments of environment and mobility and the ministerial powers that be, “so that all these pending projects, on which Formentera’s sustainable future depends, can take flight”.

Both President Ferrer and First Minister Armengol took the opportunity of the meeting to highlight work and coordination between the two administrations since the start of the legislative term.

30 September 2021
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera