ARCHIVED - Opposition in Lorca and Mazarrón to plans for huge offshore fish farm

Plans are pending approval for 80 enclosures to be located under 2 kilometres from the coast

Considerable opposition is being expressed in Lorca to plans to create a massive fish farm area just off the coast of Puntas de Calnegre, with the Town Hall among those planning to present official objections to the proposals which are currently on public display.

The most eye-catching feature of the proposed fish farm is its sheer size. Occupying 300 hectares under 2 kilometres from the coastline of Lorca – and very close to the neighbouring municipality of Mazarrón – the installation would consist of 80 enclosures containing sea bream and gilthead bass (possibly with some amberjack and corvina), each of them measuring 30 metres in diameter. The stretch of coastline along which they would be placed is described as running from the beach of Parazuelos in Mazarrón to Cala Siscal in Lorca, part of a largely unspoilt and enormously attractive area of the Costa Cálida.

It is reported that each of the enclosures would be used to rear 440,000 young fish from a weight of 12 grams, and that each group of 10 cages would reach an annual production of 1,000 tons every 16 to 19 months. In other words, the whole establishment would produce around 8,000 tons of fish in just over a year.

Among the critics of the scheme, Mayor Diego José Mateos explains that the environmental importance of the Lorca coastline makes it incompatible with such a large fish farming concern, adding that “we have not had favourable experiences” in the field in the past. Council staff are preparing official objections.

Joining the Mayor in criticizing the plans is the local IU-Verdes party, on behalf of whom councillor Gloria Martín warns of the “environmental damage” and “brutal impact on the landscape” that the fish farm could have. Sra Martín claims that the establishment would generate 8 tons a year of waste including excrement, the remains off fish food, anti-fouling paint and chemical substances included in medications and the materials used to clean the enclosures, as well as maintaining that the location of the enclosures would be inside a Natura 2000 conservation zone. She plans to deliver a petition to the national government demanding an end to fish farming in areas of marine biodiversity as well as seeking support from the Town Hall.

"What kind of natural park is it”, she asks rhetorically, “where the land is covered in agricultural plastic and the sea can generate (such a quantity of waste)?”, adding that the scheme appears to be completely at odds with the suggestions that a third Marine Reserve in the Region of Murcia could be created in the same area.

Originally the fish farm in question was planned to occupy and area of 130 hectares, but now it has been more than doubled to 297.

There is little doubting the role of fish farms in providing food in this day and age, and since 2016 it is calculated that over half of the world’s seafood supply was harvested from fish farms, but where they are located is constantly open to debate.

There are currently two major fish farms in the Region of Murcia, one in El Gorguel – where damage caused by Storm Gloria resulted in great opportunities for anglers in Portmán! - and the other in San Pedro del Pinatar. In total twelve of various sizes are currently operational in Águilas, San Pedro and El Gorguel, and there is also a juvenile fish production centre in Águilas.

Between them, these concerns provide employment for approximately 1,000 people, according to the regional government.

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