There have been several new laws and regulations approved by different regions of Spain to ‘clean up’ their image and to appeal to a wider range of visitors, but Vigo in the north of Spain has topped the lot after the mayor, Abel Caballero, approved a pioneering, surprising but somewhat ineffective regulation.
The new sanctions, approved by the City Council, include fines of 750 euros for urinating on the beaches, both on the sand and in the sea. Although the matter has given rise to discussions on the ecological impact of peeing in the sea, there are also questions, some jokingly, asking how peeing bathers will be controlled and identified.
The municipal paper does not explain anything about how offenders will be monitored, but it certainly seems difficult to catch someone 'red-handed' peeing in the sea, even though sometimes we can tell by their facial expressions.
Did you know? “Over 50% of Brits admit to peeing in the sea”
Obviously, it's a different thing in swimming pools, where urban legend, denied a thousand times, warns of a tell-tale ‘urine liquid’ that, apparently can be red, blue or green and shows if someone pees in a pool. But at sea? Maybe they will employ people to be in the water, snorkel at the ready?
One thing the council is implementing, as an alternative to relieving yourself in the sea or on the sand, is more public toilets, particularly on blue flag beaches. Oh and by the way, no this isn’t an April fool joke, however, it is only a matter of time, if successful, that some of these new regulations spread into other areas of the country.
