At once, 48 Spanish beaches, which are popular among tourists, were marked with black flags – signs warning of danger. The new horror for vacationers in these locations is explained by serious problems with ecology, which have a bad effect on the health of vacationers. Spills of toxic chemicals, the presence of dog waste, and problems that became the basis of this alarming alert, a source told the Daily Mail portal.
For example, a beach in the north of Spain, known as Calsoa, was recognized as the “worst dog beach in the country” – the owners do not clean up excrement after their pets. According to local media, some even call it a “sandbox for dogs”. Let’s list a few more that got into the anti-rating: Playa del Arenal in Valencia, La Herradura in the Costa del Sol, Javea beaches, etc.
Other areas criticized in the review by environmental group Environmentalists in Action include stretches of coastline in Malaga, as well as some in the Canary Islands, Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Euskadi. Experts accused the local authorities responsible for coastlines of inaction. These accusations are the result of poor management and pollution of the Spanish coast, according to the authors of the report.
Among the 48 beaches mentioned, 12 of them were marked as the most dangerous to visit due to chemical spills and problems with sanitation and cleaning. Another 6 beaches were distinguished by chemical, light, or noise pollution. In addition, it was clarified that ecologists have placed the following 48 Spanish beaches in line for hanging black flags.
The granting of Black Flag status to Spanish coastal areas indicates the potential threats tourists face. The damage caused by polluted beaches can have several aspects:
- Health. Spills of chemicals on beaches pose a risk to the health of vacationers. Toxic substances can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, or more serious diseases if they enter the body through contact with skin or water.
- Sanitary problems. Problems with sanitation and cleaning on the infected coast can lead to unsanitary conditions. Improper disposal of waste, lack of toilets or insufficient cleaning create an unpleasant and unhealthy environment for vacationers.
- Environment. Invasive processes and pollution of beaches negatively affect the natural environment. This threatens the death of local plants and animals, disruption of the ecosystem, and deterioration of water quality. Tourists who come to the beach in search of a clean and beautiful landscape may be disappointed and feel negative emotions from such conditions.