The Balearic Islands Government has authorised the Regional Legal Department to join proceedings before the Contentious-Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Catalonia, challenging the decision to close the case over plastic pellet pollution in the Mediterranean.

The case concerns the Catalan Government’s decision to drop the investigation despite environmental damage to the Francolí River basin, beaches in Tarragona and the Balearic Islands, and the Mediterranean Sea, allegedly caused by companies operating in the Tarragona petrochemical complex.

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Balearic Government to join legal case against closure of investigation into plastic pellet spill in Balearic Sea

On 17 July 2025, the Minister for the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente, formally requested the region’s participation in the case due to its significance for the Directorate-General for Coasts and Shoreline, Ports of the Balearic Islands, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment.

This step is taken under Decree 74/2016, which governs the role of the Regional Legal Department in judicial proceedings. With this action, the Balearic Government reaffirms its commitment to protecting the Balearic coastline and marine environment, in the face of events that could have had serious environmental consequences.