Mar Menor cleanup crews praised after removing more than 6,600 tonnes of biomass

Local neighbourhood associations from Los Nietos and Islas Menores have rewarded an initiative that has cleared the shoreline of the Mar Menor, removing thousands of tonnes of biomass from the area. The associations have officially recognised the work of the brigades in charge of this mass cleanup project, which required 80 personnel per day.

Local recognition for vital coastal cleanup: Massive effort clears thousands of tonnes of biomass from Mar Menor

The initiative was carried out by the Plant Biomass Removal and Marine Area Cleaning Service of the Mar Menor, and has already removed the equivalent of 75 per cent of all the biomass collected during the previous year. Additionally, since the beginning of 2026, the cleaning service has removed an incredible 6,625 tonnes of biomass.

In 2025, a total of 8,821 tonnes were collected, 25 per cent more than the previous year.

The neighbourhood associations officially recognised these efforts during the patron saint festivities of both towns, highlighting the performance of the units both in coastal areas and in the rest of the southern part of the lagoon. They praised the “magnificent work” of the cleanup crews, as well as their commitment, dedication and willingness to collaborate for the benefit of the residents and the famed saltwater lagoon.

Rising storm frequency demands year-round operations

This project operates year-round, and typically has a total of 80 personnel on duty daily during the weekdays, and 50 on weekends. During January and February, the work was especially intense; these two months saw nearly 2,700 tonnes of biomass removed.

One of the main reasons the officers must work daily is a greater frequency and intensity of storms, which cause more biomass to be displaced to the shores of the Mar Menor. The intensity of this work has resulted in daily peaks of up to 26 tonnes of biomass collected.

Additionally, between the final week of July and the first week of August, an intensive operation was carried out, involving 500 people and five mini-excavators. During this project, more than 91 tonnes of biomass were removed, stored, and taken away.

A long-term project to protect regional ecosystems

This system kicked off in 2017 and has been continuously running since 2021, removing biomass from this incredibly important staple of the Region of Murcia and its ecosystem, reducing odours and hygiene problems that can result from the buildup, and generally benefiting the ecological health of the lagoon.

This project works across the entire lagoon, its banks, the inland islands and the surrounding natural areas, encompassing the municipalities of Cartagena, San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar, Los Alcazares and Torre Pacheco.