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R67,000 fine for urinating in the sea; Spanish town introduces new rules | World News

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The city of Marbella in Spain imposes a €750 fine for urinating in the sea, with a higher penalty for repeat offences. The rules aim to improve cleanliness and health standards on the beach

beach, coast, tourism, sea
Photo: Bloomberg

Sudeep Singh Rawat New Delhi

The city of Marbella in Spain is making changes to combat beach pollution and keep them clean. Beachgoers in the country can now be fined up to €750 (around ₹67,000) for urinating in the sea.

The penalty could be doubled for reported offenders who breach the new rules within a year; these offenders could be fined up to €1,500. Dogs will also be kept away from the sea and beaches will be designated as dog-friendly.

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The measures are awaiting public comment before the regulations are officially passed. Officials aim to maintain hygiene and health standards in water bodies.

In Spain, fines are imposed for various beach-related activities, including nudity, which can result in a fine of €750, unauthorized vendors face a hefty fine of €3,000, and lighting fires or barbecuing without a permit can result in a fine of €1,500. In addition to these regulations, cycling, water skiing, and surfing are also prohibited within 200 meters of the shore.

The main concern of lifeguards is detecting criminals on a crowded beach.

A city council spokesman shared an email with the Guardian explaining the proposals would not apply to open water.

He said the Act does not impose penalties for peeing in the sea. “It will not apply. The Act regulates possible anti-social offences on the beach, just as any such acts are regulated in any public space, such as city streets,” he added.

The new regulations aim to curb destructive behaviour, such as littering.

Such regulations are already being introduced in several cities across the country. In 2004, Malaga imposed a €300 fine for a “physiological evacuation on a beach or in the sea.” Similarly, the Galician city of Vigo also imposed a €750 fine that came into effect two years ago.

Beachgoers are confused

When asked about the fines by Spanish TV show AI Tiempo, beachgoers appeared confused by the fines. Beachgoers and residents are wondering how these rules will be enforced and what it means for them.

One person jokingly admitted that she had urinated in the sea multiple times and asked, “Who would find out? Jellyfish?” Another person also had similar doubts and asked, “Will the police keep watch? I just don’t get it.”