This Saturday, November fifteenth, volunteers, divers, and local groups will converge to restore wetlands and beaches at Bahía Bella. The clean-up operation is set to run from nine in the morning to two thirty in the afternoon, focusing on the Menhir del Rame natural spot, a heavily polluted area of the Mar Menor lagoon. Organisers aim to clear everything from plastic waste to larger debris from both land and sea.

Leading the initiative is the Bahía Bella Residents’ Association, working alongside ARBA Cartagena-La Unión and the Hippocampus Association. Support has come from various local entities, including the town halls of Los Alcázares and Cartagena, and even the Spanish Federation of Underwater Activities. For the first time, divers will use underwater metal detectors to locate metallic objects hidden beneath the lagoon’s surface.

The clean-up effort comes after years of pollution, with residents noting that trash and waste have been entering the sea due to floods and runoff. Organisers emphasise that the event not only focuses on waste removal but also aims to identify hazardous materials that may require treatment or signage. Snacks and a communal paella will be provided to thank all participants for their hard work.

This clean-up event is part of the ‘Responsible Mediterranean’ project, which connects local communities with businesses and authorities to protect the Mar Menor’s unique ecosystem. Organisers are calling on everyone to participate and help strengthen the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship.