The theft of part of an experimental oyster farm in the Mar Menor has been described as one of the most significant blows to open-field scientific research in the Region of Murcia in recent years.

The project, known as RemediOS, is working to restore native oyster populations in the saltwater lagoon. Researchers hope the bivalves will help filter excess nutrients from the water, improving quality and supporting the wider ecosystem.

The initiative has received hundreds of thousands of euros in funding from the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the regional government and private contributors. The loss of a significant portion of the trial crop has been labelled a serious setback for the team.

Scientists say the stolen oysters formed part of carefully monitored field trials, and their removal will affect ongoing research. The incident has also raised concerns about security for environmental projects in the Mar Menor area.