ARCHIVED - Murcia considering construction of diving marine park

The Costa Cálida is already an attractive destination for divers from all over Europe

The last few years have witnessed considerable growth in the popularity of the Region of Murcia and the Costa Cálida as a destination for dive tourists not only from the rest of Spain but also from abroad, with areas such as Cabo de Palos and the Bay of Mazarrón proving particularly attractive for fans of underwater exploration due to the particularly clear waters off the Murcian coastline and the excellent all-year round climate.

However, the expansion of this tourist activity is not without its problems, and recent steps taken by the regional government to limit the number of diving excursions to the marine reserve of Cabo de Palos and the Islas Hormigas have caused some concern among dive centre owners. The correct balance between encouraging tourism, preserving the marine environment and ensuring that the livelihoods of local fishermen are not harmed is a difficult one to find, and in an effort to appease all parties Francisco Bernabé has announced that new laws governing professional and leisure diving are to be drawn up in the Region of Murcia.

Sr Bernabé is the regional minister for Development, and on Wednesday met representatives of Murcia’s 22 dive centres in order to bring them on board about his plans for a “Mesa de la Náutica”, which will regulate water sports and other aquatic activities in the Mar Menor and along the rest of the Costa Cálida. According to the minister, the new rules will be adapted to the latest technological developments which define the state of diving today, and will be designed with environmental conservation as well as the encouragement of tourism in mind.

At the same time, Sr Bernabé is keen to point out that the new rules will be in line with those formulated in other regions of Spain, and that it is important not to legislate against the dive sector, which is becoming an increasingly important part of Murcia’s tourist industry. By ensuring that all of the Region’s centres adhere to the same code of conduct, he says, the services they offer can be made more accessible and easier to promote, and in order for this to be achieved the new regional law will establish a set of requirements for dive schools and instructors.

All 22 centres have supported the initiative, bringing to the table their expertise and experience, and they will join sailing schools and marinas on the new Mesa de la Náutica, which will operate on a level above the Town Halls of Murcia to provide uniform legislation.

In the long term, the regional government’s plan, as outlined by Francisco Bernabé, is to create a large scale “underwater park” which will place the Region of Murcia at the forefront of dive tourism. While at the same time protecting marine wildlife, this park would increase tourism and offer a wider range of recreational activities.

One of the ideas being considered is to create artificial reefs by sinking unused boats and other structures, a course of action which is becoming common in other areas of Spain and which it is believed could also benefit dive tourism in Murcia, where the climate and sea conditions make diving an attraction almost all the year round.

In some areas wrecks are also being sunk to create attractions for divers and in others “archaeological snorkelling parks” are being created, with modern-day reproduction amphora and other treasures ”hidden” on the seabed for divers to discover within an area sectioned off for diving, all making the dive experience more entertaining ( as well as attractive) for visitors and tourists.

These new “wrecks” also have the added benefit of creating new marine environments.

The Turia, a wooden minesweeper also known as “El Dragomina”, was deliberately sunk in 1999 off Cabo de Palos at a depth of 35 metres to serve as an artificial reef, and now attracts species such as anchovies, sardines, mackerel and bream. If the regional government’s plans come to fruition, there may be many more such deliberate wrecks off the coast of Murcia in the near future.