Campaigns inform about threat to coast

PALMA
GREENPEACE took their awareness campaign about the destruction of the Spanish coastline onto Cala Mayor beach yesterday morning.
The environmental organisation set up information stands manned by volunteers to publicise the presentation of the report “Destruction of the coast 2008”, which will be officially released tomorrow (Monday) on board the Greenpeace boat, Arctic Sunrise, which will be moored in Palma Port.

Volunteers handed out information to residents and tourists at Cala Mayor between 11am and 2pm.
Greenpeace says that areas like Cala Mayor are among the worst affected on the Spanish coastline.
Meanwhile, Campos Council is taking extra measures to guard the dunes along the municipality's beaches this summer.
The council and the Balearic Department of the Environment have contracted seven people to patrol the beaches of Es Trenc, Sa Rapita and around Es Peregons.

The vigilantes will wear a green uniform and make sure that people don't sit in the area of the dunes, which are protected, as well as inform people about the importance of preserving the environment. Leaflets containing information about the importance of the dunes area will be distributed by the patrols.

Since the beginning of the summer season, a rope has marked the off-limits area. But people have often ignored the ropes and sat in the dunes.
The council is also removing the dead seaweed from the beach in a manner that is consistent with protecting the environment.
In order to do this, the council is going to use a lighter machine than usual and leave the seaweed that is at sea level covered in sand. This will prevent the beach from receding.

Since the council has started work, some beaches, such as Sa Rapita, have grown by up to 13 metres.
According to the council, this is only the first phase in the authority's campaign to preserve the natural surroundings of this part of Majorca's coastline.