The environment minister of the Balearic Parliament is calling for a “diligent” debate about the number of boats traversing the waters of the Balearic Islands, leading to “overcrowding” and environmental concerns.

Minister Miquel Mir was responding to local concerns in Minorca that 40% of some 2,380 vessels at anchor were made to move because they were anchored in environmentally sensitive areas. Comparatively, in Mallorca only 7% of the boats inspected had to move; on Ibiza, nearly 10% and in Formentera, only 1.3%.

The reason, most involved agree, is the influx of new and inexperienced boaters, and not just international visitors.

“The island has been an anomaly this summer. There has been notable overcrowding, [with] a lot of national tourists with their own boats,” Mir said.

The minister is calling for cooperation between the various authorities with “responsibility for the sea,” more involvement of the Spanish government and an increase in public awareness.