The Town Councils of Palamós and Mont-ras will report the acts of vandalism that have affected buoys in coves such as Cala Estreta, Cala Corbs (Palamós), and Cala Crit (Mont-ras). These actions endanger both swimmers and boat users, as the demarcation of safety and mooring zones is compromised.
SOS Costa Brava calls for the immediate replacement of the buoys, increased surveillance by the Mossos d'Esquadra, and an update to regulations to ensure safety and protect the marine environment. This is the third incident of this nature to occur since early 2024.
The Palamós Town Council has reported that about fifteen buoys have been vandalized. The perpetrators drilled holes in the buoys on Monday night into Tuesday, causing them to sink. The aim is to replace them as soon as possible, and the installation of video surveillance cameras is being considered as a potential solution.
The mayor of Mont-ras, Vanessa Peiró, has noted that these incidents have been recurring since 2024. Increased surveillance may have led vandals to change their method, using a drill to puncture the buoys. In Mont-ras, the affected coves have been Cala Crit and El Vedell.
The installation of buoys costs over ten thousand euros annually for Mont-ras, a small municipality that relies on these coves. The Taula de Cogestió (Co-management Table), which includes town councils, fishermen, and nautical sector companies, has held an emergency meeting to address the situation.
SOS Costa Brava also advocates for the installation of ecological buoy fields to regulate mooring and protect the seabed, as well as the maintenance of safety buoys. The organization warns that current regulations have not adapted to the increase in nautical activities such as paddleboarding or kayaking.
