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In a disappointing move, the Murcia regional government has decided not to pursue UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status for the Mar Menor lagoon. This decision means that the Region of Murcia will remain the only autonomous community in Spain without a recognised Biosphere Reserve.

 

The government's decision comes after a report commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment from a Madrid-based consulting firm was reviewed. The report, which cost more than €17,000, studied the potential for the marine ecosystem and its surroundings to achieve this international recognition.

 

According to the Ministry, the report recognises that the salt lagoon "brings together unique ecological, scenic and cultural values," but specifies that "the priority must continue to be the recovery of the Mar Menor."

 

The Ministry confirmed that "it is not currently considering initiating the process as it is not among its priorities." Instead, the government is focusing its efforts on the Mar Menor's "ecological regeneration and long-term sustainability."

 

Territories recognised as Biosphere Reserves have achieved a balance between economic and social development and biodiversity conservation. The Mar Menor already has two pieces of legislation in place to protect the lagoon and its surroundings, but the government has decided that pursuing Biosphere Reserve status is not a priority at this time.

 

Although the pursuit of Biosphere Reserve status is off the table for now, the government is pushing ahead with a number of other projects that aim to protect and preserve the Mar Menor.

 

Most recently, the Mar Menor Scientific Advisory Committee was created, and plans to develop a Mar Menor council and the Mar Menor Inter-Administrative Commission are well underway, among other initiatives. The government is also working to find innovative solutions to reduce the impact of nitrate-laden water in the Mar Menor, a priority action for the regional government.

 

 

Image: Anidae via Wikimedia Commons