The Balearic government has issued a fined to the production company behind Katy Perry’s Lifetimes music video 6,001€ for filming without permission in a protected area of the Ses Salines Natural Park. The shoot took place at the end of July 2024 in an exclusion zone where access is strictly prohibited. Officials classified the offence as “serious” but noted that no additional penalties were applied as there was no evidence of lasting environmental damage.
Europa Press reports that the sanction was handed down after investigators confirmed the company failed to obtain the required permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment. The unauthorised filming involved entry into a section of the park that is roped off to protect sensitive habitats. Once the penalty was issued, the company promptly settled the fine.
The investigation began in July 2024, following scenes showing Perry and her crew inside the dune of s’Espalmador, an ecologically significant islet forming part of the park. The footage, which also featured locations across Ibiza and Formentera, sparked questions over whether the production had breached environmental regulations. Officials stressed at the time that no filming application had been submitted for the site.
Environmental authorities have long emphasised the importance of preserving s’Espalmador and the neighbouring Ses Illetes beach. Together, they are considered the best-preserved dune system in the Balearics, offering rare habitats for local flora and fauna. The islet has been part of the Ses Salines Natural Park since 1980 and spans roughly 137 hectares.
Once the regional authorities issued the sanction, the company promptly settled the fine. While the Balearic Islands are a popular location for celebrity filming projects, this incident has sparked renewed discussion about balancing the area’s attractiveness as a filming hotspot with the need to protect its most fragile natural environments. Environmental groups caution that even well-managed high-profile productions could undermine the strict regulations that have long safeguarded these sensitive ecosystems.