The Government of the Region of Murcia has taken advantage of World Wetlands Day 2025, held on February 2, to highlight the reinforcement that has been given to the protection of its 53 protected wetlands with more investment and new management plans.
Community has invested more than 3 million euros in the last 3 years with the objective of preserving and protecting their wetlands. In addition, as a sample of in their commitment to the recovery of biodiversity, they highlighted the advance in the recovery of key species such as the Pardilla Cerceta.
Healthy and protected wetlands in Murcia
The regional government advances in the conservation and recovery of its wetlands with an investment of more than 3 million euros in the last three years and the approval of new management plans to guarantee their protection.
This was highlighted by the Minister of Environment, Universities, Research and Mar Menor, Juan María Vázquez, who has indicated that “Wetlands are authentic sources of life and biodiversity In an environment as arid as ours, and its conservation is a priority for this government. ”
The Ministry actively works on the identification and selection of the most relevant wetlands for their protection. In recent years, they have including 53 wetlands in the Spanish inventory of wet areaswhich means a total area of 19,500 hectares. In addition, the region has three of these 53 wetlands within the Ramsar agreement, which total about 15,400 protected hectares.
Regarding planning and management, seven plans for Management of protected spaces that include 46 spaces of the Natura 2000 Network. “Thanks to this effort, currently 32 wetlands of those 53 have approved management plans and six more are in process,” said Juan María Vázquez.
From the entry into force of the Law 3/2020, of July 27, on recovery and protection of Mar Menorthe territorial scope of the protected landscape of open spaces and islands of the Mar Menor was extended with the inclusion of seven new wetlands: Saladar de los Urrutias, mouth of the Rambla de la Carrasquilla, salad from Punta de las Lomas, Punta del Potrimel, Lagunas of the Beaza Cabezo, Laguna de los Alcázares and Lagunas of El Algar; adding just over 80 new protected hectares.
Investments in wetlands and their biodiversity
Among the most outstanding projects have already been executed Rehabilitation of the Visitor Center of Salinas y Arenales Regional Park of San Pedro del Pinatarwith a budget of 776,000 euros to improve accessibility and environmental dissemination, the improvement of the Zepa of the Saladar As the investment made for the monitoring and environmental management of the Salinas of Marchamalo, Rasall and San Pedro del Pinatar, with 230,000 euros in three and a half years.
Los Murcian wetlands have proven essential for biodiversity. Currently, the Pardilla Cerceta Recovery Plan is being developed, an critical species at national level. This plan contemplates the restoration of adequate wet areas for conservation, with the aim of increasing the number of reproductive couples in the region.
In addition, the biological monitoring program in Salinas in the surroundings of Mar Menor, which has been carried out since 2014, has allowed Identify key measures for the conservation of these spacessuch as the control of salinity, the restoration of aquatic vegetation and the improvement of the habitats of the Fartet fish.
World Wetland Day 2025
Coinciding with him World Wetlands Day 2025, which was held on Sunday, February 2the Ministry organized various activities to sensitize citizens about the importance of these ecosystems: guided routes, educational workshops and visits to protected natural spaces.
And in addition, within the framework of this celebration “this morning we have presented the book ´The wetlands of the Region of Murcia in the Spanish inventory of wet areas´. A publication, of more than 300 pages and magnificent images, which collects updated and high value information on the Diversity of natural spaces associated with aquatic environments, which are the so -called ‘wetlands’highlighting its ecological and landscape relevance, ”said the counselor.
Juan María Vázquez added that “this work will be a key tool for technicians, educators and society in general, facilitating the knowledge and sustainable management of these ecosystems so valuable” The five authors of it are Gustavo A. Ballesteros, Javier Bernal, Daniel Ibarra, Antonio Zamora and Andrés Muñoz. “The investment in wetlands is an investment in the future of our biodiversity, in the fight against climate change and in the sustainability of our region,” concluded the counselor.
Among the new investments, the improvement and restoration of habitats in the RN2000 El Carmolí (1,043,668 euros), with the creation of New ponds for endangered species, invasive flora control and reforestation with native species.