Consell offers up posidonia cleared from beaches

foto 2023v retirada posiThe Office of Environment of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that this year it will once again provide interested islanders with the posidonia that is being removed from local beaches.

Operations to remove seagrass that lies washed up on local shores started in Cala Saona in March, when crews hauled off a total of 612 cubic meters. Efforts in Es Ca Marí led to an 360-m3 haul, and at Estany des Peix, crews removed 48m3 from the shoreline near CENF so school activity could continue. According to the rules of the Ses Salines Park Use and Management Plan, posidonia can only be removed after 15 May if the measure aims to preserve the environment and dune system of beaches located within the park limits. Seagrass removal operations at Platja de ses Illetes began yesterday.

Interested parties can contact the Office of Environment to request some of the collected posidonia. Requests can also be made by completing an "instància genèrica" via the Virtual Citizen's Information Office (OVAC), telephoning 971 32 12 10 or sending an email to mediambient@conselldeformentera.cat. Delivery of the material is free of charge.

Key role of posidonia on beaches
Posidonia plays a very important role in protecting beaches against storm erosion. While the process is highly variable, various studies have shown that berms of dead posidonia leaves are an important source of organic cover for dune vegetation: they absorb the energy of waves and anchor very large quantities of sand.

Posidonia has an array of traditional uses, including as animal bedding, in cultivated fields and as insulation material for traditional houses.


16 May 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera