Framework for priority actions

The lack of adequate land management in the Mar Menor watershed and the activities that affect the public water domain (DPH) and the use of water, especially irrigated agriculture, due to its extent and intensification, intensive livestock farming and urban development, have had significant impacts on the lagoon by increasing hydrological needs, encroaching on riverbeds and destroying natural drainage, and causing an excessive increase in polluting discharges.

Furthermore, the area of illegal irrigation initially detected justified this as the first line of action of the MAPMM, in order to address the recovery of legality regarding the use of water and the DPH.

1.1 Strengthening of surveillance and inspection to control compliance with current regulations.

1.2 Sealing and disconnection of irrigation facilities in areas without rights.

1.3 Groundwater body action program.

1.4 Identification of public watercourses, mapping of the associated public hydraulic domain, flood zones and demarcations in priority areas.

1.5 Review of wastewater discharge permits and control of livestock farms.

The main objective of this line is to act at the source to eliminate direct impacts and achieve a buffer or shock-absorbing effect on the impacts and pollutant load of the waters before they reach the lagoon, as well as a naturalization of the watershed in the areas that may be available, addressing the causes of the eutrophication state.

2.1 Ecosystem restoration actions in the perimeter strip of the Mar Menor and creation of the Green Belt.

2.2 Renaturalization and environmental improvement of the ramblas, flood management and creation of green corridors that provide connectivity to the entire drainage network.

2.3 Actions to restore abandoned dangerous mining sites and restoration of areas affected by mining in the area of influence of the Mar Menor.

2.4 Hydrological-forestry recovery of the upper basin.

The shores of the Mar Menor and the corresponding Mediterranean shoreline have undergone morphological transformations and environmental deterioration due to their occupation and concentration of activities and the effects of climate change.

3.1 Protection and morphological recovery of the Mar Menor shoreline.

3.2 Protection and recovery of the Mediterranean coast.

Episodes of torrential rain, typical of the semi-arid climate of the Mar Menor basin, cause associated risks for the population and infrastructure of the riverside towns, mainly due to flooding.

When this phenomenon occurs, sanitation systems overflow, highlighting their inadequacy in retaining wastewater. The treatment systems are outdated and not designed for the current population size, resulting in a decline in the quality of treated water.

Furthermore, while the planned actions on line 2 have not been carried out and the pollution entering through the Albujón ravine has not been reduced, the intention is to continue operating the pumping and management of the water flows that reach the mouth of this ravine and, if necessary, the total renewal of said infrastructure will be addressed.

The planned actions are aimed at establishing safety measures to prevent a significant volume of circulating water with high levels of pollution from entering the Mar Menor and to protect the infrastructure.

4.1 Complementary actions for flood risk management in buildings and infrastructure under municipal jurisdiction.

4.2 Renewal of the Albujón ravine's pumping system.

4.3 Complementary sanitation and purification actions in the Mar Menor drainage basin.

The objective of this action is to address actions in a coordinated manner with all actors involved in the recovery of species linked to the Mar Menor and its watershed, developing strategies and actions for the conservation, reintroduction and reproduction of the most emblematic species that can also be used in restoration projects.

5.1 Conservation of terrestrial species.

5.2 Conservation of marine species.

5.3 Creation of a marine species production center for restoration projects.

The current state of degradation suffered by the Mar Menor and its watershed does not allow for the continuation of unsustainable production and economic models, and therefore it is essential to analyze and promote all measures that allow the transition towards a more socially and environmentally sustainable economy, especially those measures related to agricultural activity.

The objectives of these measures designed to support the transition of these sectors can be summarized in the following points:

• Facilitating the exploitation of opportunities and improvement of competitiveness generated by the transition of sectors, primarily agricultural ones.
• Promote sectoral participation forums.
• Analyze challenges, opportunities, and threats to design the most suitable measures to carry out the transition.
• Evaluate and disseminate the instruments of the General State Administration that support the sectors (support for R&D&I, financing, loans, guarantees, sureties, training, etc.).
• Promoting the circular economy; as a paradigm of production and consumption in which resources are optimized and waste generated is minimized.

The aim is to promote a transition from the current economic model to one that reduces the ecological footprint by encouraging actions such as recycling and reusing products.

6.1 Environmental restoration and improvement in agricultural holdings.

6.2 Other cross-cutting aid.

The planned regulations have been approved, which are especially relevant to the Mar Menor watershed and its area of influence.

7.1 Royal Decree on the protection of waters against nitrate pollution from agricultural sources.

7.2 Amendment of the consolidated text of the Water Law and the Regulation of the Public Water Domain.

7.3 Royal Decree amending the Hydrological Planning Regulations.

7.4 Hydrological Plan of the third cycle of the Segura Hydrographic Demarcation.

7.5 Royal Decree on Sustainable Nutrition in Agricultural Soils.

7.6 Royal Decree regulating the recognition and operation of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organizations (OPFH) and Royal Decree regulating the funds and operational programs.

7.7 Royal Decree establishing the system for individualized calculation of the use of plant protection products per farm based on the electronic farm register.

7.8 Royal Decree of the Agricultural Holdings Information System.

7.9 Water reuse regulations.

7.10 Resolution for the approval of the Guidelines for the management and conservation of marine phanerogams and their annexes and the Protocol for attending to nesting events of marine turtles on the Spanish coasts.

Another challenge to address in order to correct the factors of alteration and the recovery of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon is to improve scientific knowledge about the functioning of all associated ecosystems (watershed and aquifer system) that influence its good ecological status.

The objective of this line can be achieved by addressing studies and research that provide a greater understanding of its functioning and dynamics, for which it is essential to have robust and permanent environmental monitoring systems that allow obtaining data continuously and as immediately as possible.

For the recovery of the lagoon and the maintenance of the goods and services that this ecosystem provides, adaptive (reviewable) management will be necessary, based on the independent evaluation of all actions implemented.

As the MAPMM is conceived, each of the lines of action contemplates the necessary support to rely on the best possible knowledge.

Therefore, numerous specific collaborations have been promoted with leading research centers and universities.

However, in this specific line, the following far-reaching measures are developed for the knowledge of the watershed and the lagoon, as well as for the modeling and creation of a system that facilitates decision-making.

8.1 Comprehensive scientific monitoring of the Mar Menor lagoon.

8.2 Improvement of knowledge of groundwater and surface water in the Campo de Cartagena and numerical modeling of the hydrological cycle and pollution.

8.3 Modeling of biogeochemical cycles and their impact on the biota of the Mar Menor.

8.4 Information integration and visualization system, and decision support system (DSS).

8.5 Independent monitoring and evaluation system for the recovery progress of the socio-ecological system of the Mar Menor.

The objective is to undertake a participatory process during the second implementation period of the MAPMM, which has an implementation scenario until 2026, to develop an integrated program aimed at fostering the necessary change in trend to consolidate the recovery of the Mar Menor in the medium and long term, with a perspective set on 2050.

This strategy will include a diagnosis on which the objectives to be achieved will be based, and will include the actions initiated in this Framework of Priority Actions and will develop in detail those that need to be implemented in a longer period.

As the MAPMM progresses, needs are identified, and project designs are adapted, resolving new issues or reinforcing specific priorities.

In this process, it is necessary to understand the social knowledge of the perceptions of the people who live in the territory, as this will help to address a problem as complex and multifactorial as the one suffered by the Mar Menor.

Therefore, the aim is to foster a social space where agreements and consensus can be reached, encouraging the participation and involvement of everyone in the search for the best possible solutions.

9.1 Integrated program for the recovery of the Mar Menor.

9.2 Mar Menor 2050.

Social participation is key to the recovery of the Mar Menor, and in order to gather all perspectives and opinions in the design and execution of the MAPMM projects, a permanent dialogue will be maintained with entities representing civil society in the Mar Menor area and its area of influence.

Since the launch of the Mar Menor Technical Office at the end of July 2022, two aspects contained in this measure were promoted: facilitating information on the development and evolution of the MAPMM and creating channels of participation for the different agents of society.

Several communication tools are used: on the one hand, the MITECO website opens a specific space dedicated to the Framework of Priority Actions to recover the Mar Menor, where updated information is collected on the work programs, the progress in their execution, the maps of the areas of action, and other relevant information for its monitoring, which will be expanded to incorporate the information derived from the update of the Framework of Actions.

In addition, direct contact with all individuals and entities is facilitated through a mailbox with a specific email address: bznoficinamarmenor@miteco.es

Social media is fundamental to promoting information and participation; therefore, channels will be kept open permanently on those platforms deemed most effective in reaching society.

10.1 Public Information and Social Participation.

10.2 MAPMM Coordination.