Posted on March, 19 2003

Rome, Italy – The European Commission recently opened a procedure of infraction against the Spanish Ministry of Environment for restoration and dredging works carried out on beaches listed as Natura 2000 sites, thus violating the EU's Habitat* and Environmental Impact Directives. WWF applauds the EC’s action against the Spanish ministry.

In 2002, an emergency initiative for the restoration of beaches damaged by storms was undertaken by the Spanish government. However, instead of a well-planned restoration that would take into account environmental impacts, the so-called regenerations involved dredging sea bottoms for sand to add to the beaches, and building new tourism resorts.

Furthermore, the sand extractions were carried out in areas listed as Natura 2000 sites and caused extensive damage to meadows of Posidonia sea grass (Posidonia oceanica). Posidonia is an endangered species whose meadows buffer strong waves, prevent excessive washing away of sediments from the beach, and thus act as the main defense against beach erosion.

In response, WWF-Spain sent a request to the EU to ask for explanations from the Spanish Ministry of Environment. As the Spanish answer was unsatisfactory, an infraction procedure was opened**.

 “We are happy that Brussels supports the request made by WWF-Spain. The ministry’s actions prove once again the intolerable development model that has been applied along the coast,” declared Juan Carlos Del Olmo, CEO of WWF-Spain.

“Beach erosion is a common Mediterranean issue which is addressed through beach nourishment operations in most of the northern Mediterranean. The sand for the beach nourishment comes from the sea beds which may host unique sea life or may be important fishing grounds. Extracting sand from the sea, without assessing impacts first, could lead to serious damage of the marine habitats,” added Paolo Guglielmi, Head of the Marine Unit at WWF Mediterranean Programme.

For further information:
Chantal Ménard
Communications Department, WWF Mediterranean
Tel: +39 06 844 97 417
E-mail : cmenard@wwfmedpo.org
Carlos Vallecillo
Comunicación WWF-Spain
Tel: +349 609 34 68 38
E-mail: cvallecillo@wwf.es

Notes:
* The EU Habitats Directive was adopted in 1992 (92/43/CEE) to conserve a representative and sustainable sample of Europe's 700 most-endangered species and 168 of its threatened habitats, all linked by a network of protected areas, on land, sea, and freshwater, known as Natura 2000. It aims to ensure good conditions for habitats and species conservation through a method based on scientific studies.

** The EU procedure applies to areas located in Santiago Bernabé, Arenales, centre of Villa Joyosa and the Finestrat bay corner and Alicante. Majorca, Banyalbufar, Can-Picafort, Pollença, Muro, Santa Margalida, Artá, Cap de Pera, Son Servera, San Llorenç, Manacor, Felatnix, Santany, Llucmayor, Palma, Calvia, and Soller are also concerned.