As more and more people flock the coast of Croatia, so do the beaches get increasingly crowded. Recently, many visitors have succumbed to a ‘new’ trend – reserving a spot on the beach by leaving towels, deckchairs and all sorts of beach paraphernalia. Some have even resorted to using paper towels. 

This is how Makarska is dealing with this issue:
As 100posto.hr reports, employees of the Department of Communal and Road Administration of the City of Makarska and the company Makarski Komunalac carried out the action of removing towels and other beach equipment on the part of the beach under the concession. The action covered the area from the peninsula of St. Peter (Sv .Petar) up to Cvitačka. A truck-full of towels and other beach accessories was collected, which bathers have left on the beach as an attempt of ‘reserving’ a spot.

In recent years, this problem came up in numerous Dalmatian cities and beaches, many of which have decided to introduce a ban. The city of Makarska has done so last year. But, a few days ago, a step further was taken by setting up signs listing the rules of conduct.

Grad Makarska, Facebook

According to the municipal Public Order Act, it is forbidden to:
– disturb the peace and visitors of the beach
– pollute the environment and damage beach equipment
– sell food, drinks and souvenirs
– bring, install and use one’s own sun loungers and parasols
– set up and leave towels and other beach accessories (in order to reserve a spot)
– swim outside the enclosed area
– camp and stay overnight
– light a fire
– discard cigarette butts on the ground
– use shampoos, soaps and detergents
– bring cats and other pets.

These rules are now visible to all the bathers on Makarska beach at any time.

“Based on the Public Order Act, we regularly carry out the activities of removing towels and other beach accessories throughout the tourist season and have recently started cooperating with the police and customs by taking actions against the illegal selling of goods on the beach, which is also a big problem. We will continue to carry out these actions as long as necessary, but I hope that in time such cases will become a rarity. Although there has been a lot of media coverage on this issue, I think that it’s important that we have set up signs with rules of conduct and made them visible, so that everyone can see what they are or aren’t allowed to do on the beach, and for which behaviours they can be fined. Keeping order on the beach is not something that can be achieved overnight, but it is one of our top priorities since the city beach is our main resource,” said Deputy Mayor of Makarska, Dražen Nemčić.

Translated from 100posto.hr