Sardinian beach sand for sale on an online platform. The report was made to the environmental association Gruppo d'intervento Giuridico (GrIG), and environmentalists immediately forwarded the complaint to the Forestry Corps.
The sale concerns sand described as coming from Sardinia, a shell, and a starfish . Previously, on July 5th, the GRIG had reported to the Forestry Department a similar offer of sand collected (as the seller declared) from the highly protected (landscape restrictions, integral conservation restrictions, national park, and marine protected area of the Maddalena Archipelago) pink beach of Budelli, in the La Maddalena archipelago.
"Despite extensive awareness and information campaigns," the association explains, "the commercial extraction of sand, shells, and this time even starfish remains widespread, even online." The Grig calls for "prompt investigations and heavy fines for violators." In 2024 alone, the Customs Agency seized over 500 kilos of material illegally removed from the island's coastlines at Sardinian ports and airports . Fines for violators range from €500 to €3,000.
(Unioneonline)