Salt & Pepper May 7th, 2009
Until recently Ibiza’s record of environmental protection was pretty poor. After decades of reckless development of the islands coastline, green issues have been forced to the top of the political agenda. The green party formed an alliance that won the 1999 elections (beating the socialist party), and to this day they remain a force to be reckoned with. The issue that ignited green consciousness was a proposal to develop residential housing near the unspoiled land close to the salt pans. Developer’s plans for five star hotels in Ibiza were rejected, but were relentlessly re applied for year after year. After years of acrimonious relationships and bitter fighting, a campaign called “Save the Salines” was launched by the green activists. They eventually managed to successfully negotiate a new status for the land, called ANEI (Natural Area of Special Interest) similar to the Camargues wetlands in Southern France. The European Union and Unesco have recognized The Salines as worthy of special protection.
Located in the extreme southeast of the island, The Salines, is still a functioning salt flat. The technology for harvesting salt has changed slightly over the past few centuries. Tractors have replaced mules, and cargo vessels have taken the place of small boats. However the system of reclamation hasn’t changed at all. The technology today is the same as it was when it was created by the Moors in the 11th century. The harvest has been reduced by about in recent years. Most of the salt which was originally used to cure meat on ships is exported to countries in Northern Europe. The salt is used primarily for industry, but is also used as table salt. In the British Isles, the salt is used for melting ice on the roads. The Scandinavians are still using the salt in the original way, to preserve cod fish.
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