The Ciutadella City Council has demanded this Tuesday that Ports de les Illes Balears (Ports IB) assume its responsibility and immediately remove the residue of supposedly polluting sludge from the dredging of the port, which has been dumped in the colàrsega.

Shipping is responsible for 33.5% of marine debris, while 32.2% comes from tourism, commerce, and hospitality, according to a new pilot study conducted in the Balearic Islands by the Mallorca, Menorca, and Ibiza Preservation Foundations. The study reveals a widespread and persistent presence of marine debris. The study is based on two sampling campaigns carried out during the spring and autumn of 2025 at 21 locations across the four islands. Seventy volunteer divers surveyed 136 underwater transects measuring 25 by 4 meters, collecting all types of debris. The main conclusion of the study, after analyzing a total area of ​​16,120 m² of the seabed, is that there is "a widespread presence of debris, predominantly plastic," explained Elisa Langley of Ibiza Preservation.

The Balearic Sea has become a dump And the consequences are becoming increasingly evident. In 2025, swimming was prohibited up to 20 times on beaches in various municipalities of Mallorca, such as Manacor, Pollença, and Santanyí, among others, due to the presence of fecal bacteria that pose a public health risk. There were even exceptional bans of up to a week (from July 7 to 14) in Magaluf.

The Catalan government is awaiting a report from Endesa, the company that owns the Sineu mines, before proceeding with the purchase. This information has been obtained.All PlansThe administration does not want to purchase the pond and the property without a certificate confirming that the land is not contaminated. The purchase appears to have been delayed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Environment due to the owner's failure to obtain this certificate. Government sources want to ensure the purchase of this land without having to incur further expenses to decontaminate it, should the contamination levels be higher. It's worth recalling that the purchase of this wetland, located on the road between Sineu and Maria de la Salut, was approved by the Parliament of the Balearic Islands following a non-binding resolution presented by Member of Parliament Pedro Álvarez. As explained by Sineu councilor and MP Pedro Álvarez, "this area, abandoned in the 1980s with the decline and disappearance of the mining industry, has become, over time, a wetland and forested environment rich in biodiversity." This area is included in the Balearic inventory of wetlands and, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF Spain), is a site of high biological importance. The area is intended to be used as a recreational space, and in addition to the portion owned by Endesa, there are other lands belonging to families in Sineu who have already approved the purchase. The pond formed in the former Fangar lignite mine, within the municipality of Sineu, has become established over the years as a wetland of environmental interest in the interior of the Pla de Mallorca. The mine, owned by Endesa, was active between 1982 and 1987 and was abandoned due to water seepage from the aquifer, which led to the formation of the current pond. With an area of approximately two hectares and a permanent freshwater source, the site is included in the Balearic Inventory of Wetlands as a mining pond and has been designated by the Sineu City Council as an Area of Singular Landscape Interest. Despite its artificial origin, the pond supports riparian habitats and diverse species of flora and fauna, such as tamarind trees, reeds, and breeding birds like the moorhen, coot, and grebe. Endesa has carried out environmental restoration work, including the removal of mining debris and the improvement of access. Despite its high biological value, as considered by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the site does not yet have any protected status as a natural area.

The Coastal Cleaning Service has closed the 2025 season with a total of 36,804 kilos of waste removed from the Canary Islands' coasts, representing a 32% increase compared to the previous year. The campaign, carried out between May and September, aimed to preserve environmental quality and safety in coastal and port areas, the Ministry of the Sea and the Water Cycle reported in a statement on Saturday. In total, the 23 vessels deployed—eight inshore and fifteen beach-oriented—operated for 153 days, collecting an average of 269 kilos of waste per day.

What will the Balearic Islands be like in 2075? ARA Baleares has consulted experts, and they all share a common message: if decisive and significant measures are not taken to reverse certain trends, the outlook for the islands in 50 years is anything but optimistic. More population, dependence on tourism, political polarization, waste, and territorial destruction. Less housing and basic resources, such as water, while facing the deepening effects of climate change. The Balearic Islands are in a race against time, and there is no guarantee without action.