The Government of the Balearic Islands, with finance from the European Union and through its Ministry of the Environment, has promoted a project to protect the prairies of Posidonia oceania This marine plant, exclusive to the Mediterranean Sea, structures the space on the sea bed where it is found, producing a diversity of habitats which are colonised by different creatures. These, in turn, play an important ecological role in their environment.

Wishing to protect the Posidonia oceanica prairies, the Balearic Islands' Environment Ministry has, as part of the Life Project, created areas of regulated anchoring at sites of community importance (SCIs) in the Balearic Islands, with the installation of low-ecological-impact anchoring points specifically to prevent boats damaging the posidonia with their anchorage systems. Another action included and developed in this Project has been the drafting of Management Plans for each of these SCI zones. To prevent actions that damage the posidonia, they regulate activities that can be carried out in these areas.

System of controlling and using the buoys.

Authorisation: Bookings to use buoys are made directly with the Environment Ministry via the Co-ordination Centre by telephone, fax or e-mail, corresponding to one boat pet buoy. Only an exceptional case when the warden grants permission directly in the buoy area does a form need to be filled in with details of the boat, which must be signed by the skipper or owner of the moored yacht. This is a free service of the Environment Ministry of the Government of the Balearic Islands.

How to book: At the Co-ordination Centre, by telephone: 971 177 860, fax: 971 177 859, or e-mail: ccpqab@dgqal.caib.es. Once we have checked that there are free buoys in your chosen area, we take the details of the boat and skipper to confirm the permission. If you have a fax at hand or e-mail, we send you the booking so you can show the warden.

Types of buoy: Each buoy is defined by a colour. The buoy number and maximum length allowed are noted on it. The Environment Ministry accepts no responsibility if these conditions are breached. The buoys will bear the length and maximum safe wind speed noted on them.

Information: The warden's boat will approach any boats that come to moor at the buoys to check their booking and give them information about the characteristics of the anchoring area and about the Life Posidonia project (in different languages). When all the buoys are occupied, the warden's boat will inform the boats about where it is possible to anchor.

Usage limits: Permission to use buoys: from June to September, a maximum of two nights every seven natural days.