Illegal boat parties once again plague the Mar Menor
Rubbish, loud music, speeding jet skis and illicit boat anchoring are escalating in the Mar Menor
Just a couple of weeks after the Maritime Authority, Guardia Civil and Local Police claimed they were launching a serious crack-down on irresponsible boat and leisure craft activity in the Mar Menor, dozens of complaints have been lodged about illegal anchoring and boat parties along the protected coast.
In just one 24 hour period, on Wednesday July 2, some 32 sanctions were issued by the Cartagena Maritime Authority.
“This summer we could exceed 400 complaints,” predicted Maritime captain Óscar Villar, who explained that the first sanctions, which carry fines of between €500 to €1,500, were issued against illegal parties on Isla Ciervo. Sadly, these illicit, spontaneous gatherings, banned to protect and preserve the fragile environment, crop up every summer.
Other issues last Wednesday were in relation to a cluster of boats anchoring where they are not allowed, blaring music, rubbish being left onshore and flocks of jet skis racing through swimming areas.
“What's happening on Isla Ciervo is abuse,” a nearby resident of La Manga complains. “They anchor on the shore, they have parties on the boats, they go down to the island to have a drink. Very sad. This is what awaits us this summer.”
Social gatherings aren’t actually banned outright on or in the waters around the island, but they must be organised in advance and have express authorisation and insurance. But this is not happening at the moment and the situation is becoming “uncontrollable”, according to the captain.
Unfortunately, the resources simply aren’t there to provide 24 hour surveillance. As a compromise, Captain Villar has suggested that a guard station be set up, similar to what’s been done in other protected areas like Cabo de Gata.
The Mar Menor, especially Perdiguera Island, Barón Island, and the north of La Manga, are not the only hot spots for illegal anchoring. Unlicensed vessels are also being detected around La Isla beach in Mazarrón and in the Hornillo area in Águilas.
The increase in jet skis in the Mar Menor is one of the main complaints of residents in the La Manga area. The noise and excessive speed of these motorised vehicles are the driving force behind these complaints.
According to the maritime captain of Cartagena, "almost 155% more jet skis are being registered than last year." He clarifies that "these boating licenses can be obtained in six hours, and those aged 18 and over can operate a 300-horsepower jet ski."
Jet skis must comply with the 5-knot speed limit in areas less than 4 metres deep, such as most of the Mar Menor, and cannot anchor in unauthorised areas.
A far fishier problem is bothering locals and visitors in Los Alcázares. After some debate, the regional authorities decided against installing anti-jellyfish nets this summer due to their environmental impact, but as a result, these stinging critters are now flooding Los Alcázares’s beaches.
The town council has repeatedly requested meetings with the Scientific Committee to address the issue and come up with a viable solution. According to the mayor, recent reports indicate several alternatives to the traditional jellyfish nets that could provide a quick, long-term answer.
Image: P4K1TO via Wikimedia Commons
