The Community has initiated the marking of Mar Menor beaches as a fundamental safety measure for bathers and to protect marine environments and species like the nacra and seahorse. This season features a new contract for the specific installation, removal, and maintenance of buoy systems, with an investment of seven hundred forty-nine thousand nine hundred sixty-six euros from local funds. The contract lasts for an initial two years, with an option for two additional years.

Buoys will be deployed in Los Alcázares, San Pedro del Pinatar, and Cartagena, remaining in place for eight months. The Minister of Environment, Universities, Research, and Mar Menor, Juan María Vázquez, highlighted the essential role of these measures in ensuring user safety. He stated that the marking of beaches is vital for managing maritime space and allows bathers to enjoy the coastline safely.

This initiative involves the creation of sixty designated buoyed areas in the water, designed to protect bathers from recreational boat traffic while also marking safe entry and exit points for small boats, jet skis, and kayaks. In San Javier, buoys will remain in place year-round, requiring only maintenance.

Additionally, this season continues the progressive replacement of concrete with more environmentally-friendly alternatives to reduce the environmental impact of buoys on the seabed. Vázquez explained that in cases where anchors need replacing or new ones are installed, they will use biotopes instead of concrete, promoting marine ecosystem regeneration.