Disappearing beaches in Valencia threatens the tourist industry

Description:

The disappearing beaches in Valencia threatens the tourist industry.   The cause is a massive loss of sand in the south of Valencia.

The beach disappearance in the Comunitat threatens the tourist sector.  A study by the Polytechnic warns of the massive loss of sand on the coasts in the south of Valencia caused by the construction and the drought.

They warn that the beaches of the Comunitat are in serious danger of disappearance if the situation is not acted on soon. The fires, the drought, the construction on forward edge of coast and the extension of the ports are leaving the Valencian coast without sand. The voice of this alert voice was given by the university Professor of Ports of the UPV, José Serra, who has elaborated on it in report on the situation of 10 municipalities of the south of the province of Valencia. The Ministry of the Environment has found a great sand bank of two million cubic meters in a strip between Cullera and Oliva.   The warnings have been given to the mayors of these localities and the ball is now in the court of the Main directorate of Coasts.  "Perhaps many municipalities will lose the tourist industry, on which at the moment they live", the author explains.

The immediate solution consists of facing up to the responsibility this Easter and summer. But the Ministry of the Environment has found a great sand bank of two million cubic meters that can be moved to this zone. The sand is of good quality and it will solve the problem in two or three years says the mayor of Piles, Vicent Ciscar.

The report contemplates as a last option, the demolition of sections of the marine esplanade of Bellreguard and Piles, something inevitable according to the first councillor.

The wearing down of the coast

1.  Why lose the sandy beaches?

The weather takes the sand out to sea in winter.  The problem is that the rivers do not contribute sediments from fires, the drought and the over-exploitation of the water. In addition, the harbour works and the defense and the urbanisation of the coast in the 60s, has destroyed dunes and eroded the beaches.

2.  Where does this phenomenon occur?

In all the coast of the Comunitat, although more so in Cullera, Tavernes of the Valldigna, Xeraco, Gandia, Bellreguard, Piles and Oliva. The sand at Malvarrosa is also being affected.

3.  What is the solution?

Every year plans for taking sand from the ocean floor and transfering it or to take it from one beach to another one.

4.  What is a suitable width for the beach?

The norm is that it varies between the 45 and 55 meters in width. It is important that the dunes are conserved, so that the coastal zones that depend on this natural element do not disappear.