The Spanish Government is putting the planet's largest life form in jeopardy

The fields of Neptune sea-grass (Posidonia oceanica) located between the West Mediterranean islands of Eivissa and Formentera, which are over 100.000 years old.

A vast port enlargement – which is both unnecessary and expensive – will cause serious environmental damage. The project is being promoted by central government but it is a case of vested interests prevailing over environmental protection.

The Neptune sea-grass, located between the West Mediterranean islands of Eivissa and Formentera, is under serious threat. Human activity and the lack of any real or effective protection measures are the reason why the prairies of Neptune grass are disappearing at a rate of 3% a year.

In this area between Eivissa and Formentera, a team of investigators recently discovered a unique specimen of Neptune grass, 8 kilometres long.

660.000 m³ of polluted mud dumped in the sea

This state-backed project will involve the dumping of 660.000 m³ of polluted mud, dredged from the port area. The spot chosen is situated off the coast of the neighbouring island of Formentera. This is a serious threat to the sea-grass which grows in this area but this is not all: the dumped mud will contain pieces of an invasive sea weed now growing in the harbour (Caulerpa racemosa), thus spreading this damaging plant further afield.

Neptune sea-grass prairies play a crucial role in marine ecosystems since they are home to more than 400 different species. They reduce shore erosion and are essential to the protection and regeneration of the sandy beaches.

The sea-grass prairie under threat by the impending port enlargement has a special significance. It is not only catalogued as a Site of Community Importance (SCI) in compliance with the EU's habitat directive, but also- due to its exceptional character- has been granted World Natural Heritage status by UNESCO. This natural wonder, considered the best in the world, is located between Eivissa and Formentera and covers an area of 700 square kilometres.

The alternatives

The Spanish government defends the port project saying the harbour facilities need to be enlarged and modernised at a cost of 116 million Euros. Nevertheless there are other alternatives, much more cost-effective and above all, environmentally friendly. These have not even been considered. Why not?

The island of Eivissa has suffered a frenzy of property speculation and institutional corruption for the last 30 years. The coast has been ravaged by urban development and the landscape disfigured by public works, which are totally out of proportion for an island of only 540square kilometres. This new port enlargement continues this nightmare of damaging development.

All the impacts are negative!

The project proposed by the Spanish government threatens not only the Neptune grass, but it will also exploit the local quarries to a maximum. One million m³ of sand and gravel will be needed, which will literally mean the disappearance of whole mountains! The vast platforms of concrete (nearly a hectare in size) will reduce the body of water in the harbour. The wonderful view from the old town of Eivissa, a World Heritage Site, will be marred by a mass of concrete. In the longer term, the government plans to build an access road to the new port premises through or near to an important wet-land area known as Ses Feixes. Curiously enough, the Spanish government itself has admitted that the harbour will no longer be considered 100% safe as it is at present, since the concrete docks and platforms will make the port more vulnerable to southerly winds. This host of negative effects are what the government is promoting as sustainable!

We are in time to stop this project but we need your help.

Help us save the Neptune grass. Help us save Eivissa. Send your protest now!

Click on the link and send an e-mail to the authorities who are responsible for the project, asking them to stop the Eivissa port enlargement.

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To:José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero (Presidente Gobierno España) CC:Ministerío Medio Ambiente CC:Ministerio Fomento CC:Francesc Antich (President Govern Balear) CC:Xico Tarrès (President Consell Insular Eivissa) Subject:Petition for the cancellation of the Eivissa port works project In the present document I am asking the authorities responsible for the Eivissa port enlargement and in particular, the Balearic Port Authorities, to cancel it. This project will have a serious impact on the quality of life of the island's inhabitants and the sites declared as World Heritage by UNESCO. The old town of Eivissa and the Neptune grass underwater prairies were declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 for their exceptional historic and natural value. The port enlargement project will be very negative aesthetically, altering the view of Dalt Villa and the ancient walled city. The construction of the port will also directly affect the Posidonia oceanica prairies, a habitat of recognised European importance: firstly, the posidonia in the Eivissa harbour will be eliminated by the dredging and secondly, the dumping of the dredged sludge close to the protected posidonia named as World Heritage site. By means of this document, the relevant authorities are requested to permanently stop this project, which is designed for completely unsustainable growth, especially for a small island such as Eivissa. Above all, public work projects should respect the environment and an example of sustainability. The project in question, aims to claim 8 hectares from the sea. In Eivissa harbour this is a clear example of overblown, extremely expensive public work, which is only serving the interests of speculators.
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