The production company behind a Katy Perry music video has been forced to pay a hefty fine after backlash over the footage filmed in a protected area of Spain without permission.
The American singer, 40, shot the footage to accompany her single LIFETIMES in the Ses Salines Natural Park on the Balearic Islands, Spain, in July last year.
But outrage erupted among environmental campaigners after the shoot took place in a strictly off-limits zone of the protected area, which covers around 40,000 acres of land and sea across the islands of Ibiza and Formentera.
A year on, the Balearic government has now slapped the production company behind the video, released with the single on August 8 last year, with a €6,001 (£5,197) fine, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.
The firm – which promptly paid up – did not have a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment to enter the area roped off to protect especially valuable habitats, according to Europa Press.
The natural park, which covers the south of party island Ibiza, the north of its picturesque neighbour Formentera and the sea between them, is protected for its rich biodiversity.
Fury has erupted over a Katy Perry music video (pictured) which was filmed in a protected area without permission – as authorities in Majorca issue a fine for the breach
The American singer, 40, shot the footage to accompany her single LIFETIMES in the Ses Salines Natural Park (pictured, file photo) on the Balearic Islands, Spain , in July last year
The shoot (pictured) took place in a zone of the protected area – which covers around 40,000 acres of land and sea across the islands of Ibiza and Formentera – where access is strictly forbidden
In particular, it is an important stopover and nesting spot for migrating birds and contains a UNESCO World Heritage stretch of the Mediterranean.
The region, designated an ‘area of special scenic and rural interest’, contains some of the Balearics’ best beaches, with a striking mix of rugged coastline, forest and flatlands.
Officials noted Perry’s offence was ‘serious’ but as there was no evidence of lasting damage to the landscape, no additional penalties would be handed out.
Investigations began in July last year after the singer was spotted on the ecologically precious dunes of S’Espalmador, a small islet off the north coast of Formentera.
The compact private land mass, of around 340 acres, has been part of the Ses Salines protected park since 1980.
She was also pictured dancing across various other protected parts of the island and nearby Ibiza, both popular sun-soaked tourist hotspots – so questions were soon raised about whether it was above board.
Government officials at the time emphasised no filming application had been made to shoot on the site.
The production company was fined the minimum amount for this kind of offence, according to the French L’Independant publication.
The natural park (pictured, file photo), which covers the south of party island Ibiza, the north of its picturesque neighbour Formentera and the sea between them, is protected for its rich biodiversity
Investigations began in July last year after Perry was spotted on the ecologically precious dunes of S’Espalmador, a small islet off the north coast of Formentera. Pictured: The LIFETIMES music video
She was also pictured dancing across various other protected parts of the island and nearby Ibiza, both popular sun-soaked tourist hotspots. Pictured: The LIFETIMES music video
S’Espalmador along with nearby Ses Illetes beach, on the northern tip of Formentera have long been the subject of preservation efforts by local authorities.
Boasting the best-preserved dunes on the Balearics, they offer an array of rare habitats for the area’s diverse plants and animals.
The Spanish islands are a popular place for celebrity shoots – but Perry’s breach has sparked renewed discussion about balancing this with protecting its fragile habitats.
Environmental campaigners have warned even the best managed projects could put the valuable ecosystems at risk.
Perry’s single LIFETIMES was released as part of her seventh studio album, named 143, which came out in September last year.
The Firework hitmaker is currently in the middle of her corresponding 83-concert Lifetimes Tour, which began in April and is set to finish in December, visiting an array of international venues.
But ticket sales were slower than for the singer’s previous tours, the Sun reports, with the album also apparently not as well received as some of her other music.
It was the latest blow for the American musician who confirmed she had split from her fiancé, the British actor Orlando Bloom, 48, early last month.
Government officials at the time emphasised no filming application had been made to shoot on the site. Pictured: The LIFETIMES music video
The production company was fined the minimum amount for this kind of offence. Pictured: The LIFETIMES music video
The Firework hitmaker is currently in the middle of her corresponding 83-concert Lifetimes Tour (pictured)
It was the latest blow for the American musician who confirmed she had split from her fiancé, the British actor Orlando Bloom, 48, early last month (pictured together in 2016)
Perry was also one of a group of five female celebrities criticised for their Blue Origin space trip in April (pictured), which she said left her feeling ‘battered and bruised’
The couple had been romantically linked since 2016 before getting engaged in 2019. They share four-year-old daughter Daisy Dove.
Perry was also one of a group of five female celebrities criticised for their Blue Origin space trip in April, which she said left her feeling ‘battered and bruised’.
The star had received widespread criticism for being ‘tone deaf’ in taking the short but expensive 11-minute trip in a time of hardship for many across the globe.
Representatives for Katy Perry have been approached for comment.