At most of the bathing areas in Borova šuma and Velika Plaža, immediately after the season, padlocks appeared on the gates and ramps and chains at the entrances, which caused the dissatisfaction of the locals and especially tourists, who were thus prevented from accessing the coast.
“I don't know why that is. I spent a lot of time this summer at all the swimming pools in Borova Šuma. Now I can only get to the shore through the swimming pool of the Hotel 'Albatros'", says German citizen Boehm.
In the Public Enterprise for the Management of Marine Resources, they categorically reject the possibility that the tenants of the swimming pool have any legal basis to prevent access to the coast.
"The users to whom the swimming pools have been assigned for use according to the lease agreement with the Public Company for the Management of the Sea Property, do not have the right to set up obstacles or in any way threaten the unhindered pedestrian access to the sea coast as a public good", the "News" answered.
They remind "that in the previous period, in cooperation with the competent inspection services, similar cases were reported in the zone of marine resources, and that JP controllers will conduct a tour of the field in order to determine the factual situation for further action".
The president of "Green Step" Dželal Hodžić said that the tenants of the swimming pool should keep the gates open even in the off-season.
"The rules must be followed. People go to the beaches in the summer to swim, in the winter they are used for rest and recreation. That must not be denied to them".
The president of the Prelja Škrelja Tenants' Association also agrees that the tenants of the swimming pool should not close the gates throughout the year.
"We have no right either according to the laws or regulations of JP or according to lease agreements to close the beaches. It is a public good," Škrelja told "Vijesta".
The tenant of the Women's Beach, Maja Marković, said, however, that she does not see anything controversial due to the occasional closing of the entrance gate.
"The gate is closed when there are heavy rains or a strong 'jugo'. Then, as well as at night, there is no need for anyone to go down to the bathing area, primarily for personal safety. On other days, the beach is available to everyone from dawn to dusk."
She also stated that they were faced with vandalism throughout the off-season.
"They break into our bars, break glass, steal, defecate... We are obliged to clean the beaches even in the off-season, to keep them tidy. That's why I'm not surprised by some colleagues who decided to use a padlock. The women's beach is specific and I am obliged to provide access to the curative sulfur springs whenever the weather permits," said Marković.
"Vijesti" was unable to contact the tenants of the other swimming pools who blocked the entrances on the numbers available to the newsroom.
Asked why tenants do not hire guards, Škrelja replied that not everyone earns money during the season for additional expenses in the winter.
"I'm not defending my colleagues, I'm just stating," said Škrelja.
His "Copacabana" is open throughout the year.
"And there is a difference between the padlock on the beaches in Borova and the one on the Velika beach. The swimming pools in Borova šuma are fenced from all sides, those on the Velika beach, although they have ramps and chains, it is possible to approach them from other sides and via other beaches", said Škrelja.
Many years ago, the people of Ulcinj barely fought for controlled access to Valdanos Bay, and the criticism of the ramp continues to this day. Now the cove of ancient olive groves looks like a free territory compared to other parts of the Ulcinj coast.
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