Beach Season Starts in Málaga: AI to Detect Jellyfish and Mobile Authorization for Beach Bonfires

This weekend, the Málaga City Council is kicking off the beach season by launching various services including lifeguarding, maintenance, and various recreational programs. Among other initiatives, the presence of jellyfish will again be detected using AI tools, and permits for beach barbecues can be requested via mobile phone.

This year, the beaches of Pedregalejo, Caleta, El Palo, El Dedo, Malagueta, Misericordia, and San Andrés will once again fly the blue flag awarded by the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (ADEAC). The city has also received a special mention for its efforts in 'accessibility and attention to people with disabilities'.

The beach services were presented by the councilor for Operational Services, Beaches, and Festivities, Teresa Porras, accompanied by council members Avelino Barrionuevo, Francisco Pomares, and Francisco Cantos, and representatives from professional and associative groups.

She explained that the complete beach maintenance service began during Easter, while the lifeguard service is currently active on weekends and will be extended to every day from June 15th onwards.

The staff comprising this service will work every day until September 15th from 10 AM to 8 PM and includes a coordinator, four skippers, eight medical technicians, two drivers, two health technicians, and 25 lifeguards. The service is complemented by eight health assistance stations, 25 lifeguard towers, 25 poles, one boat, five jet skis, and two ambulances.

Regarding maintenance service, the City Council has extended the high season from March to October, leaving only November to February as the low season. Thus, starting early March, thirty workers are in charge of tasks related to the upkeep of public toilets, walkways, railings, and showers.

For this season, all beaches are accessible. Additionally, the Málaga City Council will relaunch the 'Enjoy the Beach' program to facilitate bathing for those who require assistance. There will be three assisted bathing points (Misericordia, Malagueta, and Dedo) and five autonomous bathing points (Guadalmar, San Andrés, La Caleta, Pedregalejo, and El Palo).

The assisted bathing service will be available from June 15th to 30th from 12 PM to 7 PM every day. Meanwhile, the autonomous bathing points are equipped with amphibious chairs, harness cranes, accessible toilets, and changing rooms. Equipment for audiobeaches will also be available to assist visually impaired and blind individuals.

The city's beaches have 47 public toilets distributed in 27 modules, and more than half are adapted for people with reduced mobility. Additionally, in the Malagueta toilets, there is a space reserved with a baby changing station. There are also three toilets for ostomy patients in Malagueta, Misericordia, and Pedregalejo.

Regarding security, the Local Police will have between 12 and 16 officers including motorcyclists and plainclothes units, who will join the regular shift officers operational every day. This deployment focuses on crime prevention and compliance with municipal ordinances (with special attention to the specific beach ordinance regarding the control of unleashed dogs, circulation of personal mobility vehicles and bicycles in pedestrian areas, or inspection of unauthorized boats). Drone units will also support these tasks. Civil Protection will also have a presence on the coast with a special device during weekends.

The Málaga City Council's free download app, 'Málaga Funciona', provides access to multiple data about the city's beaches: such as the total capacity of each, the flag flying each day, and even an approximation of the number of people occupying them. Additionally, the Beaches Area has a website www.playas.malaga.eu. It features an automated system for processing beach barbecue permits.

Furthermore, thanks to a municipal grant of 30,000 euros, the Costa del Sol Coastal Sciences Chair aims to lay the foundations to enhance the quality and excellence of the various ecosystems found on Málaga's beaches.

Moreover, through the Area of Operational Services, Beaches, and Festivities, the Málaga City Council has awarded 27 parcels for hammock services and is in the process of tendering licenses for the exploitation of 15 parcels for the same service. Additionally, there is a nautical service awarded at El Dedo beach.