The coastal agency of the tourist-loving seaside town has been accused of “making life miserable” after announcing new beach restrictions. Spanish Coastal Services announced the rules for La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, northern Spain, reducing beach capacity by reducing umbrellas by a third.
The number of parasols decreases from 440 to 290 when pushed back further back onto the beach. This is attributed to rising water levels from climate change that has reduced beaches. Urban Maintenance Councillor Carlos Garcia explained that the order from reports showing that the current has been rising “as a result of climate change” in recent years.
However, Mayor San Sebastian Eneko Goia, who was approved by local government, denounced coastal agencies for “making life miserable.”
He said “coastal authority appears to have a mission to make life miserable for coastal municipalities,” adding that it was a “just another” irrational decision.
The mayor detailed other obstacles the council believed had to overcome, such as the planned urban development of the Royola barracks.
Councillor Garcia defended the decision, explaining that “the requirement is that it has been a recommendation up to now.”
He added: “It disrupts our initial plans, but it's not a whim of coastal authority, but the results of a 2024 study show how beaches have been changing recently, with climate change as an important factor.”
In this area, the umbrellas must be at least 6 meters from the sea to explain the tide.
The state agency emphasized that Ondareta and Lazuliola beaches maintain normal parasols.
