The Ecologist March-presented in Madrid the report of the Black Flags that analyzes the situation of the coast, denouncing that four points of the coast of Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa are in “bad condition”. These areas are Muskiz, Laga and Laida, Oribarzar beach and the Ria de Oria.

For different reasons, they have decided to issue black flags; in Muskiz and Oribarzar, due to pollution. In the first case, the environmental association denounces the damage caused by the Petronor refinery. The Oribarzar beach in Orio, on the other hand, has been included in the report because of the spills that take place in it, emphasizing that “it is forbidden to bathe in it”.

On the other hand, the report shows that the beaches of Laida and Laga Bizkaia and the Ria de Oria are poorly managed. With regard to both beaches, it is noted that the mismanagement with the consequences of the 2015 seasons has been added this year to the changes made by the Basque Government in the Urdaibai biosphere reserve. It is specified that the decision will modify the uses and eliminate certain protection measures.

On the other hand, in the Ria estuary, the black flag has been given to the urbanization project Munto. In spite of the court’s ruling against the plan, the Ecologist denounces that they continue to move forward with the intention of making 200 homes in the flooded area.