Caló d'es Moro: Who decides on access — and what should be done now

Caló d'es Moro: Who decides on access — and what should be done now

False rumors about fencing plans are spreading; the owner urges administrative solutions

Key question: Who ultimately bears responsibility for the future of the tiny Caló d'es Moro — the residents, the municipality of Santanyí, the Spanish coastal authority (Costas), or all of us as visitors?

The facts are straightforward: The land through which a narrow path leads to the famous cove has belonged for decades to a German family, the Oehms. The family has lived here for around 26 years, tends the property and says it has invested a lot of work in planting and cleaning activities. Legally: coastal strips are the responsibility of the coastal administration in Spain; no one owns the public beach area.

In the summer months, local observations indicate that tens of thousands of people pour into the region; on peak days there can be several thousand visitors. That the small sand areas above the waterline have visibly shrunk is no surprise: year after year people climb over rocks, spread towels, and carry away pebbles and sand. Around the cove volunteers and a private foundation are active, regularly collecting rubbish and funding clean-up actions — a sign that residents and volunteers fill the gap when state regulation is lacking. Similar tensions over protection and enforcement have surfaced elsewhere, such as the conflict in Banyalbufar's Cala over boat traffic and seagrass protection.

Critical analysis: The public debate narrows too quickly to accusations. Newspaper headlines that broadly speak of "closure plans" or "privatization" shift attention away from the core question: How can a place worth protecting be managed without violating other rights — as recent investigations into Playa de Formentor beach access coverage shows? A landowner cannot simply convert a stretch of coast into private property. At the same time it is unrealistic to expect individual families to permanently compensate for the ecological burden.

What's missing in the discourse: concrete, feasible proposals and clear lines of responsibility. Too often people consider putting up fences or banning paths without discussing the legal limits and practical consequences; incidents such as the catamaran that came in too far at Banyalbufar illustrate how small coves are coming under pressure. A public forum with the relevant actors is missing: the municipality, Costas, environmental experts, residents and tourism representatives must negotiate binding rules together — and they must do it before the next high season begins.

A everyday scene from Santanyí: On a warm morning you hear rental cars honking at the Cala Llombards parking lot, the rustle of pine needles in the wind and the distant laughter of young visitors preparing for the descent. An older resident walks with a rubbish bag along the path; he recognizes the same faces that return every year. This mixture of calm and exhaustion describes the moment: nature is loved, but often not sufficiently protected.

Concrete solutions: First: clear visitor management via registration or daily quotas in the high season. This can be implemented technically via an app and with parking restrictions. Second: a developed, secured path with defined viewpoints can reduce erosion and discourage wandering. Third: on-site presence by environmental wardens during the season — not just for enforcement, but also for education. Fourth: a binding plan for sand and vegetation protection, prepared by marine and coastal biologists; the municipality and the landowner could cooperate on this. Fifth: clear rules on responsibility between the Santanyí municipality and the coastal authority Costas, supported by transparent information for visitors in multiple languages.

Some of these proposals require funding. Here the existing foundation could serve as a model: public funds, tourist contributions and voluntary donations could feed a fund system. Important is that solutions must be legally sound and respect the public accessibility of the coast.

Conclusion: The heated rumors about fence plans were a wake-up call — but not the answer. True protection for Caló d'es Moro requires planning instead of panic, clarification of responsibilities instead of blame, and practical measures instead of emotion. Otherwise all that will remain is a pretty backdrop and a little less sand.