Boat anchoring banned in Mar Menor areas to protect the endangered giant mussel
Fines will be doled out to any boat owners who drop anchor where these molluscs are reproducing
At the end of last year, a team of researchers from the universities of Murcia and Alicante identified a 300-hectare area of the Mar Menor where the endangered giant mussel (Pinna nobilis) has the highest chance of survival.
In another step to ensuring the endurance of this mollusc, which is currently in a critical state of extinction, the anchoring of boats has now been banned in four specific areas where the mussels are known to breed: Isla Perdiguera, Isla del Barón, Punta del Galán-Pedruchillo and Pueblo Cálido.
The off-limit zones have been clearly marked with 14 perimeter buoys.
Councillor Juan María Vázquez stressed the importance of this measure and pointed out that “the conservation of the common giant mussel is a priority”. He explained that “with this limitation in the protected area, the negative impacts that boat anchoring systems may cause will be avoided, avoiding direct damage to the specimens and protecting their natural habitat”.
An eco-friendly signalling and anchoring system
The buoys which have been installed are large, yellow in colour and attached to an anchoring system made up of several elements, such as an intermediate float located within the water column, which prevents both the rope and the chain from dragging along the seabed, thus avoiding any damage.
This action is only the latest in a series of initiatives to improve the ecological state of the Mar Menor. At this very moment, scientists are involved in a complex captive reproduction programme with the giant mussel, which is being developed in collaboration with the University of Murcia with the aim of reintroducing specimens in protected areas.
In addition, resources have been allocated to monitoring existing populations, with daily actions in which their health and reproduction are assessed, as well as the detection of new threats.
“Our commitment to protecting the environment is firm. We will continue to implement the measures within our reach, based on the best available science and in coordination with the competent authorities and administrations,” Mr Vázquez added.
For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of San Javier Today
Image: Ayuntamiento de San Javier
Address
Calle Padre Juan. Centro Cultural Principe de Asturias 30720 SAN JAVIERTel: 968 571 704
Oficina de Turismo de San Javier
The municipality of San Javier has three main offices giving tourist information to visitors, as well as two information points. The tourist offices are located in Santiago de la Ribera, on the ground floor of the town hall in San Javier and at the start of La Manga. There is also a summer tourist information point located on the seafront in Santiago de la Ribera as well as one at kilometre 12-13 of La Manga del Mar Menor next to Playa Mistral.
Due to its location on the fringes of the Mar Menor and Mediterranean, San Javier has a period of intense summer tourism activity during the peak summer months, although it is popular with retirees of all nationalities out of peak season.
Tickets for the annual San Javier Jazz Festival can be purchased at the Festival office in San Javier Town Hall, Plaza de España.
Timetables summer 2024:
Tourist office Santiago de la Ribera (Calle Padre Juan 30720, Santiago de la Ribera)
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Telephone: 661 572285
Email: turismo@sanjavier.es
La Manga del Mar Menor (Gran Vía Km. 0 30380, La Manga del Mar Menor):
May 1 to September 30:
Weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.00
Telephone 968 128955 ext. 2
Tourist information point of San Javier (Plaza de España, 30730 San Javier):
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00
968 573 700 ext #5351
Email: concejaliadeturismo@sanjavier.es
Tourist information point of Santiago de la Ribera (Paseo Colón on the seafront)
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Tourist information point of La Manga del Mar Menor (Playa Mistral, km 12)
Weekdays 11.00 to 18.00
Weekends and public holidays 11.00 to 14.00
