According to the Barcelona Field Studies Centre, the long term solution to the problem is a complex one, however. In its latest Sitges Case Study, the Centre says that part of the problem is that rivers in the Catalan area such as the Llobregat and Besos now 'barely reach the sea' because of high levels of water abstraction, thus reducing the level of material brought down to the beaches.

'Marina, breakwater and sea wall developments prevent the natural erosion of the coast and inhibit the transport of sediments in a southerly and south-westerly direction along the shore by coastal currents', notes the Centre. Construction of the Aiguadolc marina in the late1970s blocked sediment transfer to the main beaches in the south west of the area, and although hard engineering schemes such as breakwaters and eight small rock islands were built to help protect and build the beaches, the loss of sand is continuing.

To counter the continued erosion of the beaches in the area, three different schemes have been proposed, all of which are based to some extent on using imported of sand. The options under discussion include modifying the orientation of some of the breakwaters in the area, constructing submerged breakwaters, and pure beach replenishment.

In the short term, the authorities are planning to build semisubmerged breakwaters off the beaches of Bogatell and Mar Bella, which, says the Centre, are those most badly affected in the recent storms.