The president of the Dominican Association of Tourist Press (Adompretur), Sarah Hernández, urged the authorities to regulate maritime traffic on Bávaro beach where she said, an accumulation of boats is observed in the strip of bathers, increasingly visible.
“What we see today in Bávaro is a nautical chaos that puts bathers at risk and deteriorates the image of the destination,” he said, warning that this situation negatively affects the attractiveness of the area and compromises the safety of those who come to enjoy its waters.
Hernández described that excursion boats, speed boats, jet skis and private vessels coexist on the coasts, in no clear order. “Added to this are floating parties with loud music, alcohol consumption and waste that ends up in the sea. The result is a coastal strip where the line between recreation and danger becomes increasingly blurred.”
He warned that the boats are dangerously approaching the shore, in spaces that should be reserved for bathers. “We are talking about families, tourists who come looking for tranquility. This level of disorder cannot be normalized.”
He said that disturbing reports have reached Adompretur that under water, the impact is even more delicate. Uncontrolled anchoring on the coral barrier is causing damage that, in many cases, is irreversible. He recalled that reefs are essential for biodiversity and the protection of beaches, and are being affected by the weight of anchors and constant traffic.
“Added to this is pollution. Fuel stains, persistent noise and solid waste that are altering the ecosystem and moving the destination away from international sustainability standards. In a context where tourists increasingly value environmental care, the risk is not only ecological, it is also economic,” said the journalist and lawyer.
The president of Adompretur called on the authorities to act without delay. He proposed that experts’ recommendations be addressed to establish a maritime planning plan that includes clear zoning, installation of safety buoys, strict limits for motor boats and effective sanctions for those who do not comply.
The message is also addressed to tour operators. The search for quick profits, Hernández warns, cannot be above the security or sustainability of the destination. “Competitiveness is not sustained only by infrastructure. It is sustained with order, with clear rules and with respect for the environment.”
Hernández insisted that Adompretur is willing to collaborate in the search for solutions. However, he insists that leadership must come from the responsible institutions.
