The Office of Environment of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that this year it will once again provide interested islanders with the posidonia that is being removed from local beaches.

Operations to remove seagrass that lies washed up on local shores started in Cala Saona in March, when crews hauled off a total of 612 cubic meters. Efforts in Es Ca Marí led to an 360-m3 haul, and at Estany des Peix, crews removed 48m3 from the shoreline near CENF so school activity could continue. According to the rules of the Ses Salines Park Use and Management Plan, posidonia can only be removed after 15 May if the measure aims to preserve the environment and dune system of beaches located within the park limits. Seagrass removal operations at Platja de ses Illetes began yesterday.

Interested parties can contact the Office of Environment to request some of the collected posidonia. Requests can also be made by completing an "instància genèrica" via the Virtual Citizen's Information Office (OVAC), telephoning 971 32 12 10 or sending an email to mediambient@conselldeformentera.cat. Delivery of the material is free of charge.

Key role of posidonia on beaches
Posidonia plays a very important role in protecting beaches against storm erosion. While the process is highly variable, various studies have shown that berms of dead posidonia leaves are an important source of organic cover for dune vegetation: they absorb the energy of waves and anchor very large quantities of sand.

Posidonia has an array of traditional uses, including as animal bedding, in cultivated fields and as insulation material for traditional houses.

16 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Mobility of the Consell de Formentera reports that motorists attempting to access and park their vehicle on the roads of Caló des Mort and Es Ram will be subject to certain rules and limitations starting today. The regulations will remain in force until 15 October 2023. As Rafael González, mobility councillor, put it, "last season, regulations helped us avoid the problems of environmental impact, traffic and parking that had plagued this area, so we have decided to redeploy the rules and keep them in place longer". Access to Caló des Mort and Es Ram was regulated for the first time last summer from June to September, both inclusive, in response to a request from nearby residents.

As of today, an attendant stationed in the area will inform motorists of the parking ban and redirect them to the nearby town where parking areas are available. These prohibitions are properly signposted and a rope and post fence has been placed around the perimeter of the vegetated areas to stop people from parking there.

Drivers may briefly stop to pick up or drop off passengers, as well as to allow easy access for people with reduced mobility. Motorists wishing to park must go to the adjacent town. The attendant has the authority to ticket and remove vehicles that violate the rules. Formentera Local Police and Civil Guard also have the power to intervene.

Regulation at Es Cap lighthouse
Motorists attempting to reach the lighthouse of Es Cap de Barbaria face rules and restrictions from this Monday too. In effect from 15 May to 15 October, the measure aims to preserve the publicly owned natural site located in Sa Tanca d'Allà Dins.

Councillor González recalled that "for the last six seasons, motor vehicle access has been restricted with a barrier located at kilometer 6.5 of the Es Cap highway. Regulated access is a way to ensure satisfactory experiences for visitors and residents visiting the lighthouse or Es Garroveret defence tower and make sure that they do not encounter problems of access".

Before the fence there is a car park with capacity for 60 cars and 100 motorcycles so that visitors can leave their vehicles and walk or cycle to the lighthouse.

There too, a guard/attendant will be stationed next to the barrier to facilitate peak-hour vehicle access for individual with reduced mobility (11.00am to 1.00pm and 6.00pm to 10.00pm).

15 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera