Arrels Marines calls for a halt to the Formentor anchorage project due to its environmental impact
The organization warns of the lack of environmental assessment and the presence of 'Cymodocea nodosa' in the affected area
PalmRaíces Marines has asked Ports IB to halt the project to reorganize the Formentor Bay mooring field in order to assess its environmental impact and study alternatives with less impact on the seabed. The project involves installing 29 large concrete blocks (1.71 x 1.71 x 0.5 meters) to create a buoy field. According to the organization, the documentation analyzed does not include any environmental impact study or associated document that would allow determining whether the initiative has undergone the required assessment procedure. Raíces Marines also warns that the project does not include an adequate characterization of the seabed nor does it describe the benthic habitats present in the area. In this regard, it points out the presence of seagrass meadows. Cymodocea nodosa in the Bay of Formentor, which are neither mentioned nor mapped in the project.
The organization also points out that the new Royal Decree 191/2026, approved on March 11, expands the protection of this species and establishes specific measures for the conservation of seagrasses. According to Arrels Marines, this legislation makes the proposed action unfeasible, especially in areas where this marine plant is present.
Regarding the technical solution, the organization believes that installing concrete blocks cannot be considered a low-impact option in an environment with a mixed substrate of sand and seagrass meadows. It also criticizes the project for not considering less aggressive alternatives, such as low-impact anchoring systems, nor justifying the choice of the current proposal.
In light of this situation, Arrels Marines has requested that Ports IB verify whether the project has undergone an environmental assessment and, if not, that the actions be reversed to comply with regulations. It also demands the precautionary suspension of the processing or execution of the project to prevent potential irreparable damage.
The organization also requests the inclusion of a comprehensive environmental study that includes the characterization of the seabed and the mapping of the Cymodocea nodosa, the analysis of the impacts and the definition of preventive measures, in addition to the evaluation of more environmentally friendly technical alternatives.