Sardinia’s Strict Sand Protection Laws
The idyllic white-sand beaches of the Italian island are held in high regard, and strict consequences await those who attempt to take sand unlawfully. Such actions can lead to jail sentences ranging from one to six years, particularly when classified as theft with the aggravating factor of having stolen a public utility.
While the act of removing sand from a beach may appear inconsequential, local scientists emphasize its significant harm. Sardinian environmental scientist Pierluigi Cocco conveyed to the BBC that the island’s sandy shores, a key attraction, face threats of erosion compounded by the extraction of sand by tourists. He pointed out that although only a fraction of the island’s tourists engage in the practice, even half that amount multiplied by just 5 percent of the annual one-million-strong tourist influx could result in substantial beach erosion over time.
