- Los dueños de La Coralina solicitaron este proyecto
- 3 entidades ARAP, MiAmbiente, Autoridad Marítima- aprobaron el proyecto
- Alcalde/Municipio de Bocas del Toro no dieron el permiso de la construcción del atracadero
- Atracaderos o muelles pequeños no requieren estudio de impacto ambiental
- Materiales en el area de playa Paunch (postes, etc) no parece que es para un atracadero sino para un muelle
- Muelles SI necesitan estudio de impacto ambiental
- Autoridad MiAmbiente en la oficina de Bocas no sabe nada sobre este proyecto
- Carolina Wong directoria regional de MiAmbiente firmo para la aprobación de este proyecto, aunque la oficina local en Bocas no saben nada sobre este proyecto
- La constructora de la obra es Virco, SA. (Virgilio Pineda)
- Encargados en la obra prefieren que el proyecto no se de porque hay que romper las piedras/corales para poner los postes los cuales son como el tamaño de postes de luz y es un trabajo de alta riesgo
- El atracadero se quieren construir por el canal donde se entran surfistas a Playa Paunch según información conseguida
- Distancia de atracadero es supuestamente de 40 metros
Debemos APOYAR el municipio por tratar de parar esta obra.
Más en este GRUPO :
GRUPO SALVEMOS PLAYA PAUNCH haz click !
- Un poco de HISTORIA ( La misma no miente y jamás se ha triunfado en PANAMA , en proteger las rompientes de olas. !
1. Construcción de la Cinta Costera 3 - ( Se hicieron grupos, páginas de Facebook, medios, videos, películas artísticas , etc, al final hicieron el Proyecto , las olas siguen rompiendo , y la empresa constructora de ese obra, #Odebretch se ha declarado la más CORRUPTA de la Historia de PANAMÁ y el MUNDO ).
2. Boca la Caja - Corredor Sur , dio paso , a que las olas, todas rompen encima de fondo de roca, piedra, acabara con Mojón Beach - ahora unas Islas, para hacer Casas FANCYS , acabaron con otros point breaks - como Nuevo Loco y La Zurda. Los Bodyboarders colgaron los guantes.
3. Pelícano - una historia agridulce , el rompeolas - marina - se construyó de tal forma, que puedes correr una especie de Mutación , sin embargo , hay denuncias de falta de acceso a lugareños, y un riachuelo que desemboca arrojando AGUAS SERVIDAS directo al point de SURF, del lado de los Yates, ya no rompe la antigua ola que quebraba en marea alta.
4. Costa Esmeralda - la construcción de una atracadero similar al de Pelicano ya comenzó, se trataron de hacer reuniones, pero todo queda en NADA , la diferencia es que este rompeolas va DIRECTAMENTE SOBRE LAS ROCAS que hacen que quiebre el point.
5. Los Bancos de Chame - ganaron los que compraron en el proyecto ya denunciado ante las AUTORIDADES y que ha acabado con flora y fauna del sector. Ahora el acceso es complicado , y lo más probable es que lo saboteen de todas formas. A pesar de que leyes , hablan de accesos en fincas de playas ( servidumbres públicas ) y se irrespeta la línea de mar ( 22 metros hacia adentro de la marea alta, no se ha pronunciado NADIE.
6. El Playón - En Costa Arriba, una carretera de acceso " PRIVADA " - impide que entres con tu 4 x 4 , y si lo haces , una Señora te cobra $30.00USD para abrir el portón. La otra forma es tener tu casa ahí adentro o ir en bote ( $ 40.00) dólares el trip.
7. Coronado - si no eres de Coronado ni entres, el acceso está prohibido y te quedas en la Garita, así que SERENA ... mente . camina desde GORGONA para que sufres este point de marea baja.
Por lo visto , cualquier lucha contra el " Avance Humano " , queda en Knock Out - Técnico , ni siquiera subes al ring !
#VES #viviendoelsurf #UNAVESMAS ?
Human Chain at Paunch: “Ese Muelle No Va” Say the Protesters
“Ese muelle va o no va? NO VA!” was one of the many chants heard at Paunch Beach this morning where by 11am, at least 80 protesters had gathered solidarity to oppose a new construction project on Bocas del Toro's world famous surf break: Playa Paunch. Rumors of some sort of construction in that area had been rumored for months and it became all the more evident when rebar and large PBC pipes were spotted on the scene Tuesday July 6th and when pictures of the actual construction were posted by local surfers on social media, a public outrage quickly ensued.
The outrage has three components: environmental, economic and concern for public safety. The construction of this dock involves drilling directly into a coral reef which is still mostly alive. Also, the dock will be dangerous to surfers who will inevitably be harmed by being washed into it and this will cause less people to surf the world-famous Playa Paunch surf break that is one of the many, if not the most popular, of the world-class waves that attract people to visit Bocas del Toro.
After gathering much attention on social media Wednesday June 7th, a “human chain” protest was quickly organized by local and foreign resident surfers and supporters of the surfing community. The protesters invited media outlets, made signs, and voiced their opinion on Bocas TV, addressing the pertinent issues with speeches and chants while standing in front of the construction materials in the exact location where the ground (or sea floor) had been recently broken.
Local surfers explained that at Playa Paunch, when there are big swells and high tides, many surfers are washed through the area where they plan to put this dock. “When you break your leash or board, the current takes you right down to that point. Somebody is going to die down there,” says one local surfing expert (read the editor's note at the end if you are wondering about the amount anonymity in this piece). This person went on to comment how it's economical impact of the Bocas del Toro community and the nation of Panama as a whole:
“What some people don't realize is that surfing generates tens of millions of dollars for the country of Panama. People who come to Bocas buy tickets on Copa Airlines. They pay for hotel rooms in Panama City. They eat in restaurants there. Then they buy Air Panama tickets and then they stay here [Bocas]. So if you actually looked at the economic impact that surfing has on this country, its astronomical and most people don't take a look at the entire picture. They just look at Bocas, but this effects money and tourism in the whole country of Panama.”
From our sources, here is what is known so far about this project that affects the environment, public safety and local and national tourism dollars:
- Three government entities: ARAP (Aquatic Resource Authority), MiAmbiente (“My Environment”) and Autoridad Maritima (Maritime Authority) approved this project
The local Bocas del Toro government has not given any approval
- “Piers and small docks” do not require any environmental impact study, however regular sized docks DO require an environmental impact study
- The local branch of MiAmbiente did not sign off on this and knew nothing about it
- The contractors of this project advised against it because it would require drilling directly into live coral reef
- The plans for the peer are supposedly 40 meters (130 feet) and would be built in the channel where surfers enter the Playa Pauch surf break
In such a short time and from what little we really know about this project, it is obvious that it is being unanimously rejected by the people of Bocas del Toro: bocatoreños and foreign residents alike have gathered to say NO in Spanish, English and most likely a few other languages as well. Local authorities were kept in the dark about it and upon learning about it, have rejected any proposal brought forth.
“El pueblo unido, jamás sera vencido!” was another chant heard this morning, which is to say that a community united will never be defeated. Hopefully this is the case, but only time will tell because as of today there are still construction materials and the reports of some government agencies approving this project.
Editor's note: The controversial nature of this story is the reason that there are very few names mentioned. If you collaborated in any way on bringing this report to light and want your contribution known, please write the Bocas Breeze at editor@thebocasbreeze.com or via Facebook.
Quien Ganará esta BATALLA ?
Kelly Slater Battles Development At One Of Bocas Del Toro’s Best Waves
"It makes absolutely no sense," Kelly tells Stab.
POSTED
3 HOURS AGO
BY:
JAKE TELLKAMP
A developer has started to build an illegal 40-metre pier over the reef at Paunch, one of the best surf spots in Bocas Del Toro, Panama.
Kelly Slater has joined the fight to protect the wave. He told Stab that “apparently a developer from Argentina is trying to build a resort with a huge pier/dock right at the main break at Paunch and it makes absolutely no sense. The waves would destroy any pier within months and the pier would be in the current line of the wave. Surfers would get stuck in it after a wave or wipeout.”
Red Frog Bungalows, Bocas Del Toro’s go-to surf resort, organised a protest and, as is tradition, has taken to Instagram to generate awareness before developers begin to make irreparable damage.
Screen Shot 2017 06 08 at 4.22.44 PM
Cash ruins every wave around me. Photo: Red Frog Bungalows
“Happy World Ocean Day! Unfortunately, this is how the residents of Bocas Del Toro spent their day! Protecting one of the best surf spots in the Carribean. They started to illegally build a 40-metre pier over the reef. The community knows exactly who is up to the stunt and it is a shame that these people think their big money can destroy something that is for all of the world to enjoy. The surfing community in Bocas Del Toro showed up in force to stop this illegal activity. This is horrible for our coastline, horrible for tourism, and extremely dangerous when the waves are on! This benefits one or a few people and not the country of Panama.”
Paunch, which at times, can be comparable to Indonesia’s Green Bush, is an international draw for surfers. It will take surfer’s from around the world, or one big swell, to show developers what a terrible idea this is.
There isn’t a petition to sign to sign, yet but if you’d like to help protect one of Bocas Del Toro’s best natural resources, show your support on Red Frog Bungalows' Instagram page.
#KELLYSAIDNO - AGAIN - esta vez al MUELLE YEYE !
En redes sociales el reconocido Político y Fundador de ANCON - se pronunció, Juan Carlos Navarro , le dio RT a la publicación de #stabmagazine - en #viviendoelsurf #FB - utilizando #BocasDelToro #Paunch #KellysaidNo - #NoalMuelleYeye - y formuló la pregunta : Por qué las " autoridades " ambientales se empeñan en destruir nuestro entorno natural ?
Por el momento personal de Mi Ambiente , dijo que iniciarán investigaciones. ( 9 de Junio 2017 . ) #vesreport #veseco
El Diario LA PRENSA - también cubrió las protestas así como menciona a KELLYS SLATER sobre su oposición al Muelle YEYE . Más en este enlace : http://www.prensa.com/provincias/Protesta-playa-Paunch-construccion-muelle-surf-panama_0_4776272363.html
Yesterday, on World Oceans Day, Red Frog Bungalow owner Scott Balogh joined a group of 120 protestors on the pristine, jungle-fringed shores of Playa Paunch in Bocas del Toro––home of one of the best reefbreaks in Panama. Many of the picketers, all of whom were local residents, surfers, and business owners, waved green flags and held signs saying “La playa es de todos” [the beaches are everything] and “Malas ideas destruyen el planeta” [bad ideas destroy the planet] above their heads. Balogh took a picture of the scene, posted it on Instagram and immediately began reaching out to guys like Kelly Slater to help spread international awareness of what everyone was protesting
The day before the demonstration, local Boca del Toros residents spotted a construction crew offloading rebar onto the beach, hauling it out into the ocean and installing it on the part of the reef where surfers paddle out to catch the punchy A-frames of Playa Paunch. Balogh, who frequently hosts A-grade surfers like Slater, Mick Fanning, Dane Reynolds, and Filipe Toledo, was shocked to see the initial stages of construction right in the middle of one of the area’s best waves––one that many of his guests come here specifically to score. Other residents and local government agencies were also surprised, as none of them had approved any plans for development along this stretch of coast. Even the mayor didn’t know what was going on.
“Originally, the owner of this property [the villa/hotel fronting Playa Paunch known as “La Coralina”] had received approval from government agencies in Panama City to build a small personal dock, which are typically 12 to 15 feet long” explains Balogh. “But the local government was never notified [they also never signed off on the project] and the building plans they showed up with contained the blueprints for a 130-foot, T-shaped, multilevel pier with concrete pilings drilled right into the live reef––completely different than what they applied to get permits for.”
Read more at http://www.surfer.com/features/help-save-one-of-the-caribbeans-best-waves/#Ad3Q742qec2OZPO3.99
Aside from the allegedly shady tactics on behalf of the property owners, Balogh is worried about what an industrial-sized pier could do to the surf of Playa Paunch. “On a good day, it’s one of the better waves of the world,” says Balogh. “It’s the worst possible place to build a pier. When the surf is really big, there’s this lateral current that goes down the reef. When you break your board or your leash, the current is so strong that it would suck you into that pier. It’d be a danger for surfers.”
Balogh foresees how this could also negatively impact the livelihoods of boatmen. “Where this dock would go is also right where all the boat drivers anchor their boats,” says Balogh. “So if this project were to go through, we would have to anchor our boats on the other side of the dock, and our guests would have to swim through the pier to get to the surf. It would affect the business of the boat drivers because no one would be able to park their boats there anymore. It’d be a massive eyesore. Right now it’s just this beautiful pristine jungle.”
The community of Boca del Toro’s quick response in organizing the local protest (which was organized by Angie Wittemore of Cuyuko Paunch and Juan Davis Isaac of Mono Loco Surf School) helped put a halt on the project. The rebar was promptly removed from the reef, but according to locals, the fight isn’t close to being over. This morning, the construction crew was back at the same spot, clearing trees and digging with heavy machinery. The mayor and the local police were able to stop them, warning that they didn’t take the necessary steps required to build a pier this size. When the property owners procured the permits to build a small dock, they didn’t need to go through the environmental impact statement (EIS) process––because short, personal docks don’t require one. Large piers, however, do.
Read more at http://www.surfer.com/features/help-save-one-of-the-caribbeans-best-waves/#Ad3Q742qec2OZPO3.99
Although the residents and local agencies of Bocas del Toro have been able to stave off development at Playa Paunch for now, Balogh is hoping to keep the pressure on government officials to prevent the project entirely. “What they fail to understand is that surfing is one of the major contributors to tourism in the Bocas del Toro area,” says Balogh. “Surfers coming to Bocas to surf this wave are buying tickets on Copa Airlines, they’re staying in hotels in Panama City, buying food, hiring taxi drivers, buying domestic airline tickets to get to Boca. The economic value that wave has on the overall economic impact of the country is substantial––easily tens of millions of dollars annually––and I don’t think many in national government have any idea what that wave generates annually for the country and the town.”
If you’d like to assist the surfers and residents of Boca del Toro and help keep Playa Paunch pristine and untouched, sign the online petition here.
Read more at http://www.surfer.com/features/help-save-one-of-the-caribbeans-best-waves/#Ad3Q742qec2OZPO3.99
Documentos sobre quienes están " DETRAS " del #MUELLEYEYE
#MUELLEYEYE DETENIDO . actualizado 9 de Junio 2017 .
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| Ernesto Gutierrez el MULTIMILLONARIO ARGENTINO Y MAGNATE DE LOS AEROPUERTOS es LA MANO QUE MECE LA CUNA tras el MUELLE en PAUNCH . |
The Head Of Argentina's Surfrider Foundation Tries To Build Pier At Bocas del Toro
That very same development that's got Kelly Slater and locals in an uproar.
POSTED
3 HOURS AGO
BY:
JAKE TELLKAMP
Surfers, we assume, share a common respect for the environment. However, Argentinean Surfrider Prez, Ernesto Gutierrez Conte and his nephew, Juan Medo, plan on building a 130-foot dock on live coral reef at Paunch, in Bocas Del Toro, Panama.
Medo and Conte, own La Coralina, a hotel that occupies the point at Paunch, regularly surf the wave that they plan on altering for their benefit.
Despite local protest, and advice from contractors, who said that the dock would cause environmental harm and be at risk during large surf, the wealthy Argentinean surfers are going through with their plans.
Construction crews have cleared 500 feet of jungle at the proposed site. And, on June 7th, hired workers placed rebar in the reef where the dock will be.
Stab spoke to Scott Balogh, owner of Red Frog Bungalows, who said that the local government of Bocas Del Toro didn’t approve of this project, but Gutierrez and Medo, have found government entities in Panama City to sign off on it without local approval.
“Piers and small docks do not require any environmental impact study, however, a dock of this size does require an environmental impact study. The local branch of MiAmbiente did not sign off on this and knew nothing about it,” said Balogh.
While many hotels and bars have docks in the archipelago chains of Bocas del Toro, they are not a direct hazard to surfers or the ecosystem. The proposed site is where surfers enter and exit the wave through a keyhole in the reef. Meaning, as Kelly Slater told Stab, "It makes absolutely no sense. The waves would destroy any pier within months and the pier would be in the current line of the wave. Surfers would get stuck in it after a wave or wipeout.”
“Surfing is the number one draw to Bocas del Toro, and its waves are of tremendous economic value bringing in tens of millions of dollars every year,” said Balogh. “This development would benefit very few, and none of those being locals.”
Many Panamanians in Bocas, work as panga boat captains, ferrying surfers to and from Paunch and waves nearby. They rely on mooring in the channel at Paunch to idle their boats while surfers enjoy the A-Frame. If the dock is built, then access to the wave would be diminished.
If you would like to help oppose the development of one of the Caribbean’s best waves, join the fight on Facebook at Salvemos Playa Paunch and sign a petition here.
Special thanks to Angie Whittemore, and Juan David Issac for spearheading the opposition and fighting to protect Paunch for the rest of us.
Circula en redes sociales #ERNESTOGUTIERREZCONTE es realmente quien está detrás del MUELLE YEYE - dice ser MEDIO AMBIENTALISTA .
Talk about the illegal 40-metre pier being built over the reef at Paunch, in Bocas Del Toro, Panama, has been circulating for the past week now. Originally proposed by the President of the Argentinean chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, Ernesto Gutierrez Conte, and his nephew, Juan Medo, the pier’s construction has been met with heavy protest from locals, contractors and surfers (including Kelly Slater) alike.
However, it now appears that the pier’s construction has been put on hold. According to Red Frog Bungalows, a surf resort in Bocas Del Toro, the pier’s development is now being investigated. They shared the news on their Instagram earlier today, which reads:
“Good News!!!! The pier at Paunch has been put on hold for more investigation. Well done to everyone involved. Let’s move forward with constructive dialogue. Keep the threats to yourselves and continue to be peaceful to get this situation resolved for once and for all. Let’s make our community in Bocas Del Toro be a positive role model for the rest of Panama and the rest of the world. Peaceful yet Powerful! Now let’s all go get barreled out there! #peacefulyetpowerful.”
When Stab spoke to Scott Balogh, the owner of Red Frog Bungalows, a few days ago, he voiced his concerns about the pier. Specifically emphasising that the local Bocas Del Toro government never approved of the project in the first place.
“Piers and small docks do not require any environmental impact study,” Scott told Stab. “However, a dock size does require an environmental impact study. The local branch of MiAmbiente did not sign off on this and knew nothing about it.
“Surfing is the number one draw to Bocos del Toro, and its waves are of tremendous economic value bringing in tens of millions of dollars every year. This development would benefit very few, and none of those being locals.”
On top of both environmental and economic concerns, many pointed out that the location of the pier made little to no sense at all, either. As waves would destroy the structure within months. A consequence of it being placed in direct line with the surf.
Protestors have been signing petitions and making their voices heard. And it’s worked. While it’s not entirely clear that the investigation will cause construction of the pier to cease altogether, it’s a major step in the right direction. Still, this doesn’t mean the fight to save Paunch is entirely over just yet.
Construcción de muelle en Bocas del Toro se detuvo buscando consenso y estudio ambiental
Impulsor del proyecto asegura que el mismo se planificó para cuidar un arrecife muy dañado por el paso del hombre y que las protestas responden a una campaña de mentiras
2 hours ago | Updated 2 hours ago
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PABLO ZANOCCHI
La construcción del ya muy polémico muelle que se planificó hacer en la playa Paunch de Bocas del Toro, Panamá, ha sido puesto en espera con el fin de lograr un mayor consenso en la comunidad local y esperando se realice un estudio de impacto ambiental del mismo, informó a Surfline el creador del proyecto, Ernesto Gutiérrez.
El empresario argentino, ex presidente del capítulo de su país de la Surfrider Foundation, explicó que si bien no está obligado a realizar un estudio de impacto ambiental para el muelle que tiene planificado, lo esperará para brindar tranquilidad y además buscará convencer a la comunidad local de que el propósito del muelle es cuidar el arrecife y no dañarlo, que es por lo que varios locales han protestado.
Por otra parte, aseguró que lo proyectado no afectará la ola de ninguna manera y que las protestas realizadas en contra del proyecto no encuentran otro fundamento que la mentira.
Por su parte, quienes habían incentivado la protesta en contra de la construcción, el surf camp Red Frog Bungalows de Scott Balogh, celebró en su Instagram: “Bien hecho todos, caminemos con diálogos constructivos. Dejen de lado las amenazas y continúen siendo pacíficos para resolver esta situación de una vez por todas. Hagamos que la comunidad de Bocas del Toro sea un modelo positivo que se tenga en cuenta en el resto de Panamá y el mundo. Pacíficos pero poderosos. ¡Ahora vayámonos a entubar!”
De acuerdo a lo que informó Gutierrez “los arrecifes están en un proceso de degradación diaria, en algunos casos han desaparecido convirtiéndose en roca viva”. Y explicó: “Esto por el accionar de los basurales que hemos ido erradicando, pero también por quienes disfrutan de sus olas. ¿De qué manera lo hacen? Primero ingresando desde la orilla, los surfistas pisan los corales y las especies marinas vivas. Calculamos que en los cuatro meses (de olas), mínimamente por año, los 200 surfers que ingresan y egresan por día dejan al menos unas 250.000 pisadas anuales sobre el coral costero, con una influencia mayor en el primer escalón, por otro lado, tienen lugar más de 5.000 operaciones de botes, que a diario sus anclas arrastran el coral desgarrándolo del fondo del mar. Esta última acción multiplica por 100 la acción de una pisada humana. Destruyendo de forma metódica el fondo marino”.
“Nuestra solución, después de haber investigado, e intercambiado pareceres con autoridades, con los verdaderos referentes de la elite del surf de Panamá, y asesorándonos en los más altos niveles curriculares a tal efecto, es la creación de un muelle de madera de dos metros de ancho sobre ocho pilotes incrustados en roca viva, donde la vida no existe, para el ingreso y egreso al mar. Obviamente entregado a la comunidad sin costo alguno para ella. Su emplazamiento, en un área que hemos despojado de desperdicios acumulados durante años y que hoy se ha convertido en un lugar público de playa que Paunch nunca tuvo. Ocho pisadas sobre la roca muerta contra 250.000 anuales sobre el coral con cero interferencia sobre la ola. El atracadero corre sobre 20 centímetros de agua hasta un pool a 10 metros a la izquierda de un canal de acceso que a veces se utiliza para el ingreso a la ola y cuyo final esta a 150 metros, alejado del final de la ola”, explicó Gutiérrez.
El pasado jueves, Kelly Slater causó revuelo a nivel mundial luego de repostear una imagen del surf camp local, Red Frog Bungalows en la que se detallaba que en Bocas del Toro el pueblo había pasado la jornada en una protesta por un muelle de 40 metros que se quería realizar sin permisos y que también afectaría la ola más surfeada de la zona.
El post original señalaba: “Desafortunadamente así es como los residentes de Bocas del Toro pasaron su día. Protegiendo uno de los mejores lugares para surfear en el Caribe. Comenzaron de forma ilegal a construir un pier de 40 metros sobre el arrecife. La comunidad sabe exactamente quién está detrás de esto y es una vergüenza que crean que sus billetes puedan destruir algo que es para que todos lo disfruten. La comunidad de Bocas del Toro se reunió para detener esta actividad ilegal. Esto es horrible para nuestra costa, horrible para nuestro turismo y extremadamente peligroso cuando las olas están grandes. Beneficia a unas pocas personas y no al país de Panamá”.
Otro post de Red Frog agregó: “Tuvimos que llamar la atención ante un desarrollo que destruirá una de las mejores olas del Caribe. Un muelle de 40 metros que atraviesa la entrada a Paunch no es aceptable”.
Se inició una petición online que en tres días lleva casi 2700 firmas. La misma informa: “Los propietarios de una propiedad conocida como ‘La Coralina’ Ernesto Gutiérrez Conte, sus socios y su sobrino Juan Medo han iniciado ilegalmente la construcción de un muelle de 40 metros sobre coral vivo en Playa Paunch, el spot de surf más popular de Bocas del Toro. Tres entidades gubernamentales: ARAP (Autoridad de Recursos Acuáticos), MiAmbiente en la Ciudad de Panamá y la Autoridad Marítima aprobaron este proyecto porque fue presentado como un atracadero, que según la ley no necesita ningún estudio de impacto ambiental. Sin embargo, es claro después de ver los planos y los materiales de construcción que esto es mucho más grande que sólo un atracadero, sino un muelle de estilo Marina que se quiere construir allí. Dentro de la ley, para un muelle de esa magnitud, se requiere un estudio de impacto ambiental categoría #2. La comunidad cree fielmente que quisieron engañar a todos para llevar este proyecto ambicioso.
El responsable de Red Frog Bungalows, Scott Balogh le explicó a la revista Surfer: “Originalmente el dueño de esta propiedad recibió la aprobación del gobierno para construir un muelle personal que típicamente son de entre cuatro y cinco metros. Las autoridades nunca fueron notificadas de que los planos de construcción contienen un muelle de 40 metros con forma de te, multinivel con pilares de concreto que necesitan que se perfore en el coral vivo, algo completamente distino que lo que se pidió permiso”.
Balogh detalló también que el muelle afectará a los que van en barco a surfear la ola, porque no podrían anclar el barco en el lugar donde lo hacen ahora, forzando a que los turistas que van a surfear la ola tengan que remar más. Pasando raya, el empresario explicó que el muelle afectará al turismo de surfing que tanto le ha dado a Panamá.
En tanto, Kelly Slater le dijo a Stab sobre el tema: “No tiene sentido alguno. Las olas destruirían cualquier muelle en meses y el pier estaría en el camino de la ola. Los surfistas se chocarían contra el mismo al final de la ola o al caerse”.
Gutierrez aclaró que él cuenta con los permisos pertinentes para la construcción, dice contar con autorizaciones por el Ministerio de Ambiente de Bocas del Toro, la autoridad de los Recursos Acuáticos de Panamá (ARAP), y la Dirección General de Puertos, autoridad Marítima de Panamá.
Consultado sobre el masivo apoyo que han tenido las protestas a nivel local e internacional, dijo: “La población fue alarmada, por una cantidad de mentiras originadas por los que utilizan el surf como recurso económico, como Scott Balogh, de Red Frog Bungalows. Responsable de la expoliación del fondo marítimo con sus botes y sus anclas. Este señor que se arroga el derecho de mentir sistemáticamente a la población, alarmándola, cree ver tambalear su negocio de traer surfistas extranjeros a las olas de Paunch. Por otro lado muy enojado particularmente conmigo porque lo que él le cobra jugosamente a las elites del surf mundial, para darle hotelería, comida y traslados y yo se los brindo en mi propia casa solo por el honor de recibirlos”.
La realización o no de este proyecto depende ahora de si se logra o no el mencionado consenso y, por supuesto, de si el estudio de impacto ambiental favorece al argentino.
