Formentera, 2 November 2025
The Department of Natural Environment of the Balearic Government has fined three companies for carrying out maritime activities without authorization in ecologically valuable areas of the ses Salines Natural Park during the past summer. Environmental agents found that these companies were disembarking passengers in protected areas such as Pas des Trucadors, ses Illetes, and Espalmador.
Investigations concluded that the activities had a clear commercial purpose and were conducted outside the framework of current environmental regulations. As a result, the regional administration processed three sanction proceedings that amounted to over €70,000 in fines.
The Government reminded that any business or individual operating within environmentally sensitive areas must consult the applicable regulations and request the necessary permits before beginning any activity. The aim is to ensure compatibility between public use and ecosystem conservation.
The Director General of Natural Environment and Forest Management, Anna Torres, emphasized that the protection of the ses Salines Park is a “shared responsibility” and warned that no activity endangering the environmental values of the natural surroundings will be permitted.
Serious Violations
The Government classified the companies’ actions as serious violations of Law 5/2005, of 26 May, on the conservation of environmentally significant areas. This regulation establishes that any commercial activity within protected areas requires explicit authorization—something the sanctioned companies repeatedly failed to obtain.
The fines, which exceeded €70,000, will be allocated to strengthening the park’s monitoring and management, ensuring that future activities are carried out following sustainable and environmentally respectful criteria.
Corporate Responsibility
The Directorate General of Natural Environment stressed the importance of tourism companies adopting a responsible attitude towards environmental conservation. This appeal aims to prevent further violations and raise awareness about the fragility of coastal ecosystems, especially in high-tourism pressure areas like Formentera.
The Department highlighted that the coexistence of economic activity and natural preservation is only possible through cooperation and strict compliance with environmental laws.
Waste in the Sea
At the same time, the Coastal Cleaning Service of the Government conducted an intensive cleanup campaign in Formentera between May and September 2025. A total of 3,666.9 kilos of waste was collected, making the island the fourth in the Balearic archipelago in terms of waste volume, behind Mallorca, Ibiza, and Menorca—which is logical considering the size of each island.
Plastic made up 44% of the collected materials, followed by wood, vegetation, and organic debris. Over the 153-day campaign, a fleet of 23 vessels removed an average of more than 260 kilos of waste per day across the Balearic Islands.
Through these actions, the Balearic Government reaffirms its commitment to conserving natural heritage and managing the coastline and protected areas of the Balearic Islands sustainably.
I’m Ramón Tur, the person behind everything written and photographed on this website about Formentera. I discovered the island in 1972 when my parents, aboard the mythical Joven Dolores, took me on vacation from Ibiza for the first time, and it was love at first sight that has only grown stronger over time, making Formentera my place of residence for many years now. If you wish, you can follow me on Instagram @4mentera.com_
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