ARCHIVED - Murcia government sets aside 56 million euros for the Mar Menor

23 million euros are included in the budget for the department of the Environment

The department of Water, Agriculture, Farming, Fishing and the Environment in the regional government of Murcia has announced that within its budget for this year 23 million euros are being set aside for measures to protect and regenerate the marine environment of the Mar Menor.

The overall total for the departmental budget is 1.17 per cent higher than in 2019 at precisely 311,219,058 euros, and the main objectives outlined for the year apart from those related to the Mar Menor include supporting the agriculture, farming and fishing sectors, increasing the treatment and re-use of waste water and other environmental aspects, according to the head of department Antonio Luengo. In addition, Sr Luengo highlights the need to protect the water transfers which reach the Segura basin via the Tajo-Segura Canal, to protect nature reserves and to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis.

The 23 million euros for the Mar Menor are supplemented by contributions from other government departments which bring the total for the year up to 56 million, and within the figure are 2.3 million euros for research by universities and other bodies, 4.5 million euros for the development of 8 strategic initiatives including the safe havens outside the lagoon for species of flora and fauna which are under threat and another 1.2 million euros for cleaning and the removal of vegetation and biomass from the water and the beaches of the Mar Menor.

Other initiatives included are repairs and improvements in the rainwater drainage in Los Alcázares (6 million euros), new stormwater tanks and drains in Playa Honda, Mar de Cristal and Islas Menores, a new stormwater tank in Torre Pacheco and the upgrading of water treatment facilities in San Javier (2 million euros) and alterations to the infrastructures within the regional park of the salt flats of San Pedro del Pinatar. This last project, in which 2.3 million euros are being invested, also includes the plans to reactivate the salt flats of Marchamalo and provide support for the traditional “Encañizadas” fishing concern at the northern end of La Manga.

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