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The Southeastern Association of Naturalists (ANSE) has referred to the Directorate General of Environmental Quality a letter asking for a refusal to allow the dredging of the marina environment of Los Urrutias and to adopt appropriate measures to improve the conservation status of the lagoon .

The dredging will be a negative impact on the lagoon.

ANSE has submitted an extensive letter to the Department of Environmental Quality calling for the withdrawal of the proposed dredging of the Marina environment Urrutias sponsored by The General Directorate of Ports and Coasts of the region.

The project aims to undertake the dredging of nearly 3 hectares of extracting up to 30,000 m3 lagoon sludge, most likely contaminated by heavy metals.

This performance will take in the view of Anse a very negative effect on communities submerged in the lake and increase the problems of the area south of the Mar Menor seeking to resolve.

The area to be dredged salt marsh known as "Pool of the Cow" and is one of the few stretches of the coast of Los Urrutias-Punta Brava to be rid of the so-called "regeneration of beaches."

These actions destroyed vast tracts of funds lagoon and profoundly altered the coastal dynamics of the area by the construction of breakwaters.

These works, together with the implementation of marinas and the gradual eutrophication are the main causes of the current state of degradation of a significant part of the shores of the Mar Menor.

Well-preserved funds and threatened species in a protected area.

Recently, biologists have conducted surveys Association in the area that aims dredged, which comunindades found in good condition.

Highlight the extensive seagrass meadows (flowering plants) marine known as Cymodocea nodosa and Ruppia cirhosa.

Both species are considered threatened in the Region of Murcia and has been proposed for protection with the Vulnerable category.

These flowering plants form habitats similar to Posidonia oceanica in the Mediterranean or forest and emerged zones are areas of high ecological interest (biomass production, water purification) and economic (commercial fish fry).

Formations are considered seagrass habitats of Community interest by Directive 92/43/EEC.

In addition, technicians have found copies of ANSE fartet (Aphanius iberus), an endangered endemic fish species, and some specimens of endangered fish needle (Syngnatus sp.) Area being suitable habitat for seahorses ( Hippocampus sp.pl.).

Also in the area are species of high commercial interest as chirrete or mullet fry.

All available scientific information about the area highlights the value of this enclave.

The dredging area is subject to four figures for international protection: Site of Community Importance (SCI), Special Protection Areas for Birds (SPA), Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Interest (SPAMI) and Ramsar wetland.

Furthermore, in the adjacent patch of salt marsh still reproduce various water birds such as stilts (Himantopus himantopus) and the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus).

The Mar Menor requires solutions, not to repeat past mistakes.

ANSE considered essential to proceed to the completion of a detailed study of the coastal dynamics of the area to identify the obstacles that have altered the flow of water (piers, a marina) and act on them, it either to demolish or While its reform.

In carrying out such actions should be coordinated with the authorities involved: Directorate General of Ports and Coasts and the Natural Environment Directorate (Regional Government) and in Murcia Coastal Authority (Central State Administration).

Additionally, measures must be taken by manual routine cleaning of the area and without affecting the seagrass beds.

In any case it is recommended the implementation of costly dredging activities will worsen the present situation or move the problem a few hundred meters.

In short, ASEAN believes that a return of the coastline of the lagoon requires original solutions to solve the problems at their roots and, above all, do not repeat past mistakes.

Source: ANSE