Plastics represent 48,23% of the waste collected, followed by wood, with 32,91% of the total

The Balearic Islands Government's coastal cleaning service, coordinated by the public company PortsIB, which reports to the Ministry of the Sea and Water Cycle, removed a total of 7.170,60 kilos of waste from the sea and coastline of the Balearic Islands during the month of July. The operation consists of 23 vessels, 15 beach boats and 8 inland boats, which kept the service operational throughout the month.

By island, Mallorca accounted for the largest volume of waste collected, with 3.452,70 kilos, followed by Menorca, with 1.887 kilos; Ibiza, with 1.442,45 kilos; and Formentera, with 388,45 kilos. Overall, the average daily amount of waste collected during the month was 231,31 kilos.

Regarding the two types of vessels involved in the operation, beach boats collected a total of 3.656,70 kilos, while inshore boats removed 3.513,90 kilos. Thus, the volume collected remains balanced between the two services.

Plastics were once again the main type of waste collected during July, accounting for 48,23% of the total. Wood represented 32,91%, while other types of waste made up 9,73%. Vegetation accounted for 6,51% and organic matter for 2,62%.

During July, characterized by high temperatures, good weather, and thermal winds, sea conditions were predominantly slight, with an average wave height of 0,5 meters. However, two days of rough seas were recorded in Mallorca and four in Menorca. There were also episodes of swell between 1 and 3 meters at different times during the month, especially in Mallorca and Menorca.

Among the special operations carried out during July, in Mallorca a chair, a motor, and several logs were removed, and assistance was provided to three boats adrift. In Menorca, three logs, a piece of a boat, and a significant amount of plastic waste were removed. In Ibiza, the service removed a pallet, a large buoy, and several poles, while in Formentera, assistance was provided to a boat adrift and logs were removed.

The service also detected an increase in the presence of jellyfish in bathing areas during July, collecting 10 kilos of different species. No Portuguese man-of-war (Physalia physalis) specimens were detected or collected in the Balearic Islands.

Finally, during the month of July, a total of 9 reports were received and handled. Of these, 5 were managed in coordination with the 112 emergency service and Maritime Rescue, while the remaining 4 came from institutions and individuals.

The coastal cleanup campaign, coordinated by PortsIB, will continue until September 30th, with the aim of contributing to the conservation of the marine environment and maintaining the waters and bathing areas of the Balearic Islands in the best possible condition.