Article and photos taken from the Xunta Galicia article on September 11 – see here
- The Regional Minister for Maritime Affairs explained that its development is based on the rigorous monitoring and fulfillment of all environmental protection requirements, in line with the principles of sustainability and blue growth
- This action is part of the Galician Government’s objective to promote this sector as a driver of wealth and employment in Galicia, an activity to which the Xunta is allocating a specific budget of €1.2 million for the first time.
The Regional Minister for Maritime Affairs, Marta Villaverde, highlighted that the project, which includes the infill for the expansion of Baiona’s sports port, will not only improve the town’s nautical services but also open the space to the public. She confirmed this in parliament, detailing that it is an action whose development is fully respectful of the environment, being based on the rigorous monitoring and fulfillment of all environmental protection requirements, in line with the principles of sustainability and blue growth.
Furthermore, Villaverde indicated that to promote this project, the local entity engaged in active listening with organizations linked to the activity it provides to gain their support. This included the Bahía de Baiona Nautical Association, the Port Users Association, the Business Association, and the local fishermen’s guild itself.
Indeed, undertaking the infill for the expansion of the facilities responds to a real need identified in 2015, when the local administration approved the Special Port Planning Plan, which allowed for the expansion of the fishing port, the preservation of the promenade over the dock, and the creation of an underwater protection zone in the bay. Therefore, as the Regional Minister clarified, this action will improve the situation of the marina, as it currently neither provides quality services nor offers a dignified appearance at the entrance to Baiona.
Legal and orderly
The local entity handled the operation of this project following the guidelines of the Compatibility Report with the Marine Strategy for the North Atlantic Demarcation, issued by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, emphasizing the need to avoid impacts on protected species under Royal Decree 139/2011 and Law 42/2007; the application of measures to prevent turbidity and sedimentation in sensitive areas; the implementation of the environmental monitoring plan; and compliance with the conditions established by the Directorate General for Biodiversity in relation to the Galician-Cantabrian Western migratory corridor, integrated into the Natura 2000 Network. It is, therefore, an action characterized by complying with all legal parameters, being orderly, and duly authorized.
Xunta’s commitment to recreational boating
The Xunta maintains a firm commitment to recreational boating as a driver of wealth and employment in the community. Around 350 companies operate in the sector, generating 2,200 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs, highlighting Galicia’s enormous potential in this area.
For this reason, the regional administration is dedicating, for the first time, an economic allocation of €1.2 million to its promotion, through a specific plan aimed at improving the quality of facilities and services. Furthermore, the regional administration also modified regulations to extend concession periods to provide greater legal certainty to private operators who see Galicia as a business niche. This is the case of the concessionaire who will invest €4 million in improving the infrastructure that was the subject of the parliamentary debate.
