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A massive clean-up operation is set to take place in one of the Mar Menor lagoon’s most polluted areas, as environment-minded locals and expert divers come together to remove years’ worth of rubbish from both land and sea.

 

This Saturday, November 15, from 9.00am to 2.30pm, volunteers will converge at the Menhir del Rame natural spot in Bahía Bella, aiming to rid the beaches, wetlands and seabed of everything from plastic waste to large debris. The area, positioned beside the El Albujón ravine and close to the Los Alcázares Naval Base, connects the municipalities of Los Alcázares and Cartagena - a location where “we have been seeing trash and polluting waste entering the sea for years and years as a result of floods and runoff,” said Bahía Bella Residents' Association president Amparo Moreno.

 

This ambitious event is led by the Bahía Bella Residents' Association working alongside ARBA Cartagena-La Unión and the Hippocampus Association. Support has poured in from a wide range of groups, including the town halls of Los Alcázares and Cartagena, Murcia’s Regional Ministry of the Environment, residents’ federations, the General Air Academy, and the Spanish Federation of Underwater Activities (FEDAS).

 

For the first time in this spot, divers will be equipped with underwater metal detectors to hunt out metallic objects hidden on the lagoon floor, especially near the mouth of the El Albujón ravine. Both land-lovers and water enthusiasts will be busy, with divers accessing the site by boat, while teams on shore will have everything from gloves and rubbish bags to skip lorries and heavy equipment at their disposal.

 

Local businesses have got behind the scheme too, with companies like TM Grupo Inmobiliario, Lhicarsa, the Estrella de Levante Foundation, and Venta Simón pitching in. The Alcantarilla Military Parachute School has also been invited, building bridges between the military and the local community.

 

But it’s not just about clearing up the mess. The organisers want to spot anything hazardous that might need to be marked or treated, helping to make the area safer and healthier in the long term. “Beyond the removal of garbage, the aim is to identify potential contaminants or artefacts that require signage, thus contributing to the safety and recovery of the area,” said Moreno.

 

Everyone who joins in on Saturday will be treated to snacks mid-morning, and afterwards, a big communal paella to say thank you and celebrate everyone’s efforts.

 

The clean-up forms part of the ‘Responsible Mediterranean’ project, now in its third year, which links local people, businesses and authorities to protect the unique environment and raise awareness about the Mar Menor’s fragile ecosystem.

 

Organisers are calling on locals, public and private bodies, media, and social groups to get involved. “This day represents much more than a one-off action of removing waste from the environment; it is a manifestation of the values of a conscious society,” Moreno explained. “Citizen participation in environmental activities strengthens the social fabric, generates a sense of belonging, and promotes a culture of respect for common resources.”

 

Volunteer registration is still open online via this link: https://forms.gle/wkn2g5C4K9mJQiqy5. If you are keen to lend a hand, grab a pair of gloves and join the community effort to help make a real difference to the Mar Menor.