Mapping the nautical carrying capacity of anchoring areas of the Balearic Islands’ coast

The irregular distribution of marinas along the coast together with the natural attraction of some specific sites is leading to an over-capacity in many popular anchoring Mediterranean destinations during the summer season. This study proposes a standard procedure to assess the physical, social and environmental nautical carrying capacity of anchoring areas. Based on legislative restrictions and homogenous criteria, the anchoring sites are identified and the physical, social and environmental nautical carrying capacity is computed, thus establishing a range of distances between boats. The daily potential carrying capacity, considering the physical, social or environmental perspective, is assessed using an analysis of how suitable or safe a particular site is for anchoring. The physical, social and environmental saturation risk on the sandy seabed of each anchoring area is computed considering the relation between demand and the estimated physical, social and environmental carrying capacity, respectively. Methods have been applied to 318 anchoring areas along the coast of the Balearic Islands, confirming its usefulness as an environmental management tool. [Display omitted] •Nautical carrying capacity can be used by managers and authorities at different scales.•The physical, social and environmental nautical carrying capacity in anchoring areas is estimated.•The safety perspective is considered to estimate physical, social and environmental daily potential carrying capacity.•The physical, social and environmental saturation risk of overcrowding is assessed.•An atlas of the Balearic Islands coast with 318 anchoring areas is created.