The United Nations has recognised the recovery efforts for Mar Menor as an emblematic initiative for ecosystem restoration. This designation was unveiled at the UN Oceans Conference being held in Nice, France. Vice President and Minister for Ecological Transition, Sara Aagesen, highlighted the honour and responsibility this recognition brings, sharing the achievement with the residents of Murcia. Aagesen noted that it reflects a comprehensive response to the severely degraded lagoon known as Mar Menor.

Mar Menor faced a turning point in two thousand sixteen when agricultural pressure resulted in discolouration of its waters, causing substantial harm to its flora and fauna. Following this, the lagoon experienced consecutive crises with significant fish deaths. However, improvements have been observed since those critical times. The UN acknowledges the ecological, social, and cultural value of Mar Menor, alongside the pivotal governance model established under the Priority Action Framework for Mar Menor.

The framework represents an investment of six hundred seventy-five million euros, with four hundred fifty million already activated. Among its twenty-eight specific measures are projects to create artificial wetlands, restore degraded mining areas, and promote ecologically compatible agriculture. Such initiatives seek to restore the ecosystem’s natural dynamics and address structural degradation causes across more than eight thousand seven hundred seventy hectares.

Citizen mobilisation has played a crucial role in these efforts, with over five hundred thousand people supporting a citizens’ legislative initiative that led to Mar Menor being recognised legally as a subject of rights. This makes Mar Menor the first European ecosystem to gain such recognition, marking a significant milestone in environmental governance.