Spain holidaymakers are being warned about a new fine that's being issued on beaches in certain areas.
One council in Vigo, in Galicia, northern Spain, has decided that peeing in the sea is now a fineable offence.
Vigo is a coastal region and the fine explicitly states that peeing “in the sea or on the beach” could mean you get a fine of up to €750.
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The fine for the act is due to public urination being a hygiene and sanitary risk, Buzz.ie reports.
Vigo council have said they will be installing public toilets during the peak tourist season. The council said the rule is part of a drive to clean up local beaches.
While it is unusual to have rules against urinating in the sea, a large amount of pee can affect the local wildlife.
For this reason, in Portugal and some parts of Thailand, it is illegal to pee in the ocean. Coral reefs have been found to be damaged due to human urine.
Urine is 95 per cent water, however it also contains waste products, such as urea, bacteria and trace amounts of drugs such as antibiotics and contraceptives - all of which can be toxic to wildlife and harm biodiversity.
One recent study by Procter & Gamble found that 62 per cent of people admit to peeing at the beach.
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