Vessels over 12 meters may not anchor in the Posidonia

Vessels over 12 meters in length may not anchor on seagrass meadows within 35m of depth, according to the decree law to protect this native algae,says the Balearic Government, which also prepares a plan for protected areas with the installation of 358 mooring buoys .

According to the decree, released today by the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Territory, Biel Company, vessels under 12 meters in length may anchor in any area not protected the Balearic coastline, whilst those above this length will have do so on sand unless the depth is greater than 35 meters, where the sea grass no longer grows because of darkness. Above this depth there are no restrictions to fund, says the draft decree.

The rule does not apply to protected areas such as Site of Community Importance (SCI), or in waters or areas subject to state and regional ports, as they have their own regulations.

With the decree of protection of seagrass, the Department notes in a statement, the Balearic Islands are pioneers in Spain in having a legal framework to protect this alga.

The Posidonia was included last year by a royal decree of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment in the List of Wildlife Special Protection Regime, which implies and prohibits intentional destruction.

Thus, the Balearic sea which has most of the seagrass in Spain regulates their protection by decree, which also provides a ''strict'' protection of the seven coral-formations of the species-unique to the islands.

These reefs are in Es Calo (Arta), Sanitja (Es Mercadal) Addaia (Es Mercadal-Mahon), Talamanca (Ibiza), Porroig (Sant Josep de sa Talaia), Sa Torreta and Pujols (Sant Francesc de Formentera).

A licensing system will be established for specific encumberances on Posidonia (up to 1,000 square meters or 2% of the pasture) and, if greater affectations, will require the approval of the Consell de Govern.

In addition, the Department prepared a plan to anchor in the SCI areas, which can only be done in fields with low environmental impact buoys.

Read full story in El Mundo.