Adriatic paradise at risk: Hvar's beaches blighted by cruise waste
The island of Hvar is facing an ecological disaster. According to media reports, cruise ships turn beautiful beaches into sewage dumps. The water is blue during the day, but in the evening, it turns brown.
Hvar, located on the Adriatic coast in Croatia, is facing a serious ecological crisis.
According to the Croatian newspaper "Slobodna Dalmacija," the Adriatic Sea has been designated by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships as an area of particular ecological importance. Despite this, the problem with excrement is growing. This issue is especially pressing as the tourist season is just starting.
This year, once again, we are seeing serious water contamination related to the discharge of excrement and other waste from cruise ships, reported the Croatian newspaper.
Sewage by the beach
Sea currents pollute the shores of Hvar. Residents enjoy a crystal-clear blue sea in the morning, but the water turns brown by the afternoon.
Brown patches, about 160 yards across, appear in the afternoon when boats return to shore. "Some are protecting the beaches by installing special dams in the water to hold back some of the waste," reported the Croatian newspaper.
The current situation is characterized by a peculiar "criminal optimism," which will turn the world's most beautiful sea into a giant sewage dump, said a source to "Slobodna Dalmacija".
The problem has been highlighted since last year. However, nothing has been done. "The areas around Hvar are flooded with excrement or cooking oil with food waste that spills from cruise ships passing near the island," said Veljko Drinković, an employee of the tourism industry on the Adriatic island, in an interview with "Slobodna Dalmacija".
Ships are dumping waste into the sea
Hoteliers and other entrepreneurs whose businesses are closely linked to the tourism industry are calling on the Croatian authorities to take action. They want the authorities to monitor how ship crews dispose of sewage and punish those who break the regulations.
According to Croatian stakeholders, creating a system for collecting this type of waste would be worthwhile. Furthermore, the authorities would have to enforce its observance.
There is nothing more effective than hitting the pockets of those who turn our most beautiful beaches in the world into sewage, reported sources to "Slobodna Dalmacija".
