Once again some fingers are pointing at recreational yachting as the culprit for the serious damage to the posidonia seagrass meadows in our community. It is an accusation easily refuted just by a couple of internet searches. In this letter, amongst many other issues, we will also discuss the success of the boat launching cards, which in only three months have raised more money than the old system in all of 2013.
A few weeks ago we read in the Diario de Mallorca (12/08/2014), that the Balearic Ornithology Group (Grupo de Ornitologia Balear – GOB) reported a deterioration of the posidonia sea bed due to illegal anchoring. At AENIB we have always emphasized the inestimable value of the posidonia for our seas and demanded that it should be protected and measures should be introduced to stop illegal anchoring. Having said that, and with due respect towards an ecological organisation that has battled for decades in order to preserve our natural environment, we believe that this time GOB has missed the mark. A study elaborated in 2012 by IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB) reveals the global warming as the biggest enemy of the posidonia. According to the study, up to 90% of the posidonia meadows could disappear by 2050 due to the higher temperatures of the Mediterranean Sea. Another study from the year 2013 (also by CSIC) states that the accumulation of hydrogen sulphide in the bottom of the sea is another big threat for the posidonia.
So, there is ample evidence pointing out to other factors causing the deterioration of the posidonia.
Those seafarers who anchor in posidonia meadows do it either because they are unaware of the importance of this plant or because of insufficient marketing of the ecological buoys installed in our archipelago. Therefore we ask the local government to organise a positive campaign about the importance of this plant to inform the nautical tourists already when they are booking their trip.
More money has been collected in just three months through the new boat launching card than with the old system during all of 2013. In total more than 170 cards have been issued on our islands. Great success for an idea proposed by AENIB some time ago, to control the somewhat chaotic situation in some of the ports, and to which the local government reacted successfully. This card clearly gives a piece of mind to the users, and is not an excessive burden for their wallets. It has been demonstrated once again that squeezing the pockets of the users is the worst thing to do. The best solution is to make things easier for them so that all parties will eventually win. At AENIB we congratulate Ports IB and encourage them to launch more initiatives to make recreational yachting easier for the average user.
Lastly, we would like to mention a recent study that highlights the economic impact of the Kings Cup sailing regatta. According to the study, which was completed as a thesis for a master´s degree at the local university, the regatta generates business for over 11 million euros for the Mallorcan companies (mainly restaurants, hotels and entertainment). At AENIB we have always maintained that this type of events (like Palma Boat Show and other sporting events as well) are important not only for the image of our islands, but also for the stimulus they give for the local economy. This study proves the point beyond any doubt.
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