ZAGREB, 18 August, 2022 - The nongovernmental association called "Island Movement (Pokret Otoka)" stated on Thursday that the sea and transport ministry's response to its recent statement in which it criticises the draft legislation on maritime domain and seaports only deepened the association's suspicions.
The ministry's explanations about "allegedly clear, elaborated, and transparent rules" have additional deepened our concerns about the "bleak scenario" of cordoning off beaches and restricted access for the public.
The association finds Articles 11 and 46 of the future law contentious.
Article 11 envisages a possibility of general use restrictions of segments of the maritime domain and also exceptions in which those parts can be excluded from public use based on concession agreements and special licences, says the NGO.
Article 46 reads that maritime domain management plans are required to define the kinds of seaside beaches, functions, and models of their management and restriction degrees for public use of certain beaches.
The NGO insists that the new law will not protect the rights of members of the general public.
Sea Ministry: New law to better define concession procedures, obligations
Responding to the recent criticism by the Island Movement NGO, the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure on Wednesday said the new law wouldn't facilitate fencing off beaches and charging access but that it would more clearly define concession procedures and obligations.
The draft bill on the maritime domain and seaports is still in preparation, but we can confirm that it cannot be said the bill will facilitate fencing off beaches and charging access to them, the Ministry said in a press release.
It pointed out the situation was actually the opposite because the new bill should regulate more clearly and in detail the procedures and obligations of concessions providers, and concession holders, as well as the consequences of violating obligations.
Once the wording of the draft law is completed, the draft will be published online and put to public consultation, so all interested will have the opportunity to make a comment and thus contribute to the creation of the law, said the ministry.
