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750-euro fine for saving beach spaces in San Javier and San Pedro
The ‘umbrella wars’ have moved to the Region of Murcia with hefty sanctions for so-called beach hoggers
It’s an age-old summer battle, but this year the umbrella wars across Spain are making international news. Authorities up and down the country are imposing restrictions on so-called beach hoggers – people who set up parasols or deck chairs at the crack of dawn to reserve a prime spot on the sand, then disappear for a few hours.
In the Region of Murcia, San Pedro del Pinatar and San Javier are the pioneers, fining people up to 750 euros for saving beach space. They are following in the footsteps of the Malaga towns of Torrox, Velez-Málaga and Algarrobo, where beach hoggers are fined 350 euros, and infamous Benidorm, where the original umbrella wars began.
San Javier
The ordinance has actually been in place since 2021 but this summer, San Javier authorities are cracking down on anyone leaving “umbrellas, parasols, deckchairs or other similar items” unattended “for the purpose of reserving a place on the beach”.
Bathers are also prohibited from marking out a square in the sand as their own and the authorities have warned that beach cleaners will remove any unattended items that are in their way.
If this happens, the owners will have to collect their belongings from the Local Police, who will slap them with a 750 euro fine – incidently, the same sanction for peeing in the sea or washing in the ocean with soap.
San Pedro del Pinatar
In nearby San Pedro, the 2017 regulations specify that personal belongings shouldn’t be placed on the beach before 8am.
“Objects found in this way will be removed and stored by the local authorities, and will remain in the municipal offices for a maximum period of fourteen days. If, after said period, they are not removed by their owners, having proved their ownership, they will be considered 'waste' and they will be destroyed.” The fine: 750 euros.
In other municipalities like Cartagena and Mazarrón, securing beach space with umbrellas and towels isn’t banned, but coastal police have appealed to people’s “civic responsibility” when enjoying this shared space.
Image: Freepik
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