The infringements, which have been considered serious, have led to a fine of 25,000 euros and another of 10,000 euros.

The Directorate General for the Natural Environment and Forestry Management has fined two companies for carrying out prohibited commercial activities within protected natural areas of the Balearic Islands (Law 5/2005, of 26 May, for the conservation of areas of environmental relevance). One of the companies was involved in the organisation of excursions with all-terrain vehicles within the Península de Llevant Natural Park, while the other offered jet ski rentals from the s’Oberta dock, within the s’Albufera de Mallorca Natural Park.

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Two companies have been fined by the Natural Environment Department for carrying out prohibited commercial activities in protected natural areas

Specifically, these companies have breached several points of the regulations of the Plan de Ordenación de los Recursos Naturales (PORN) of these two natural parks. With different gradations, these infractions have been considered serious, with a fine of 25,000 euros in the case of the off-road vehicle excursion company and 10,000 euros for the jet ski rental company.

In this regard, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, Joan Simonet, said that ‘these sanctions are an example of the work being done by the Government to ensure that infractions in areas of environmental importance in the Balearic Islands do not go unpunished’. In addition, the councillor stated that ‘one of the main objectives is to change the negative dynamic of the past few years, as many environmental sanctions were allowed to lapse due to poor management’.

Along the same lines, the director general of Natural Environment and Forestry Management, Anna Torres, stressed that ‘we are reversing the trend in the statute of limitations for penalties, which last term was 75%, a period in which some 4,000 penalties were allowed to lapse’. Torres also pointed out that ‘we are working to reach zero prescription as soon as possible and, for this reason, the Regional Ministry is planning to reinforce the sanctions section with more staff’.

The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment reminds us that the fight against activities that cause damage to the natural environment is a fundamental tool for the proper conservation of protected natural areas and their natural heritage.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)