Sea of ships drops anchor
Fears that Jávea seabed will become a ‘desert’
NAUTICAL visitors to the coast of Jávea are responsible for a ‘brutal attack’ on the fragile ecosystem beneath the waves as they drop anchor in bays and coves, it was claimed this week.
The ‘summer avalanche’ of boats risks ‘destroying’ the beds of posidonia sea grass - a vital breeding ground for a number of species of marine life.
While there are ‘eco-buoys’ for boats to tie up alongside, the sheer number of yachts and cruisers mean many simply drop anchor.
The Jávea oceanographic institute condemned the situation, saying: “In recent weeks we have witnessed a brutal attack on our coastline by people who are unaware of the danger to the marine environment.
“We will reach a point of no return and the disappearance of ecosystems and therefore our coastline as we know it.”
It said there was a double problem; both overcrowding and the mooring of boats outside the grid of buoys, leading to anchors being dragged through the underwater meadows.
And to prevent Jávea becoming a ‘marine desert’, the institute called for stricter control of boats and financial penalties for those flouting rules.
The ‘summer avalanche’ of part-time sailors also looks to become a political issue; Compromís per Xàbia is raising the matter at the next council meeting.
It wants ‘competent agencies’ - such as environmental and coastal authorities - to coordinate action, and the town hall to impose stricter controls to protect the posidonia - including fines.
Party spokesman Juan Cardona said too many years were spent ‘watching the ball pass from one administration to another’ and called for town halls along the coast to unite to protect the marine world.
He said Jávea should follow the example of the Balearic Islands by introducing legislation to protect the marine environment from such harm. and should harness the technology and innovation offered by various European projects.
Compromís believes the ongoing ‘awareness campaigns’ being run by the town hall were not effective enough and it was time for direct action.