In 2017, the Government of Catalonia approved a ten years moratorium which forbade the extraction of red coral at Costa Brava between Cap de Begur and France. The decision was taken following the recommendations of a scientific report that states that red coral population in the Catalan coast is severely endangered. However the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, MAPAMA, has unaccountably allowed 12 licenses for the extraction of red coral from Begur to Anenys de Mar.

The MAPAMA justified its decision arguing that the red coral is in "external waters" under its authority, although experts consider that the extraction permits will put an end to the survival of red coral in this part of the Catalan Coast.

Environmental organizations, among them Ong ADDA, sent a open letter to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment, Isadel García Tejerina, urging her to revoke these permits.