Mar Menor beaches get a thorough spruce-up for Easter
The work to recondition the playas aims to improve conditions for both tourists and the environment
It’s all systems go to get the beaches of the Mar Menor and the municipality of Cartagena ready for Easter, with sand being replaced on the shore, seaweed and other sludgy mess removed, and beach facilities installed.
For starters, Cartagena City Council has begun a trial project to “evaluate the effectiveness of the techniques proposed in the sludge removal plan in the Mar Menor” on Estrella de Mar beach. Over the next six weeks, they will be testing the systems that will be used in their 75,000-euro sludge removal project, which basically consists of covering the ‘fango’ sludgy mud with sand, and a suction-and-washing system to separate the sludge from the sand.
Other strategies adopted by the Council to improve the quality of the bathing areas of the Mar Menor beaches and to prevent eutrophication (excessive plant and algal growth due to nutrient instability in the water), include the collection of seaweed and other biomass to be recycled for use in industrial and agricultural projects; and moving back onto the beach the sand that has been washed into the water, such as is happening on the beaches of Punta Brava, Los Urrutias and Los Nietos.
The work is being supervised by the Scientific Committee of the Mar Menor to ensure that it contributes to the improvement of the health of the ecosystem and the animals that live in the Mar Menor.
As well as the sand and the water, Cartagena are replacing many benches, bollards and other ‘street furniture’ around La Manga and other areas, as well as putting in footwashing stations, walkways and platforms to be able to access the water in Cavanna, Los Nietos and Playa Honda.
Finally, two lifeguard stations will be opened for Easter Week from March 22 to April 1 on the Entremares beach in La Manga and San Ginés beach in La Azohía, from 11am until 7pm.
Image: Felipe G. Pagán / Ayuntamiento de Cartagena
