Concerned Expats And Locals Attempt To Save Massive Salt-water Lagoon From Pollution

The Mar Menor is a Spanish coastal saltwater lagoon world-famous for its beauty, wetlands, marine life and ecological diversity, but it’s now dying due to lack of action as regards pollution. '

A group of passionate and dedicated local and expat environmentalists are now pressuring the local council to save the lagoon by making essential adjustments to its drainage and flood water systems. They’re also urging those who value this unique natural wonder to sign their ‘Save the Mar Menor’ petition on www.change.org. The petition describes the lagoon as ‘unique in the whole of Europe’ but stresses that, should action not be taken, it will die.

Threats to the lagoon’s survival include agricultural run-off including nitrates, industrial discharges, sewage and general pollution. Flooding from the lake threatens homes and businesses in the Los Alcazares areas and is worsening every year, with the household refuse drawn into the water making the pollution even worse. According to the group, it’s the failure of local authorities to construct waterways and canals to control the floods as well as keeping them clear and using them as a barrier to protect against further industrial and agricultural pollution that’s resulted in this emergency.

Leader of the group Bill Hulse told local media the lagoon is loved by local and expat residents and visitors alike, adding the pollution three years ago was so bad it exposed the area to ecological collapse in spite of 18 years of ignored warnings to that effect. The region’s public prosecutor is now looking into accusations of negligence by relevant local authorities, with the group hoping against hope they can help save the lagoon and its unique species.