The environmental organization Ecologists in Action has published its annual list of Black Flags, giving a "fail" to various beaches on the Cadiz coast. The reasons are divided into two categories: "urban planning abuses" on the coast of La Janda and Tarifa, and discharge and pollution problems in the Bay of Algeciras.
Specifically, the beaches of El Palmar, Trafalgar, Los Caños, Atlanterra, Valdevaqueros, and Los Lances have been flagged. Despite being located within natural parks such as La Breña and El Estrecho, the organization claims that protection measures are insufficient to halt speculative urban development projects. Untreated wastewater discharges in El Palmar are mentioned, along with urban sprawl and over 700 illegal homes.
In Tarifa, the Plan Parcial Cabo de Plata project, which includes two golf courses, is being promoted by the Junta de Andalucía through the Strategic Interest Project Accelerator formula. Ecologists also criticize the designation of the Trafalgar-San Ambrosio urban project in Barbate as an area of tourist revitalization opportunity.
In response to urban speculation, Ecologists in Action proposes halting coastal urban developments and sustainably managing irregular settlements in areas like El Palmar, Zahora, and Los Caños. In Tarifa, they suggest reclassifying developable land designated in a 1990 plan.
Furthermore, the coastline of Campo de Gibraltar, encompassing municipalities such as Algeciras, Los Barrios, San Roque, and La Línea de la Concepción, receives a Black Flag for constant sewage discharges. Although some beaches in San Roque, like La Alcaidesa- El Faro, Cala Sardina, Torreguadiaro, or the port beach of Sotogrande, hold Blue Flags, pollution persists.
In addition to sewage, the Bay of Algeciras suffers pollution from heavy industry in the area. This is compounded by impacts from the Port Authority's actions, ship-to-ship bunkering, and the inaction of the Coastal Demarcation. Ecologists are awaiting a zero-discharge plan and urge the Port Authority to abandon the expansion of the port of Algeciras.
