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THE Balearics Islands have been flagged up as a key black spot for the ‘chronic cancer’ of environmental destruction.

Ecologistas en Accion has slammed the islands for the alarming ‘noise’ and ‘sea pollution’ they face as a consequence of mass tourism.

The criticism has come as part of the green group’s annual ‘Black Flags’ report, which selects the 48 worst environ- mental issues affecting Spain’s coastline.

The flags of shame are handed out to polluted and badly managed beaches and coastal areas across the country. However, in the Balearics, rather than target beaches, the ecologists have flagged up two major problems that are having an environmental impact on the archipelago as a whole.

One is the ‘uncontrolled’ proliferation of jet skis, which causes noise pollution and a risk to marine wildlife.

An Ecologistas spokesman Cristobal Lopez told the Olive Press: “There are companies that organise jet ski group

By Alberto Lejarraga

trips to protected nature areas and this negatively affects vulnerable species such as sea turtles.

“These also cause huge noise pollution and a risk for swimmers, as several serious accidents have already occurred.”

The region received a second black flag for the rowdy boat parties that take place at night around the island, especially in Ses Salines.

“Locals have now complained for some time about the noise pollution