On Saturday, August ninth, two thousand and twenty-five, hundreds of people formed a human chain around Mar Menor as part of the fifth annual ‘Embrace of the Water’ event. The participants, who gathered from various points including Lo Pagán and La Manga, aimed to signify their demand for effective protection of the ecosystem, which is under threat from agricultural pollution and urban encroachment. Julia Albaladejo, from the beach of La Puntica, encouraged bathers to join in the peaceful protest, advocating for a ‘living Mar Menor’.

The chain was not only a local demonstration, but this year it extended its message globally, with reports of similar human chains occurring in over one hundred different countries. Participants called for improved quality and protection of water bodies worldwide. Jesús Cutillas, a representative of the organisation Amarme, noted a growing awareness among attendees. He explained that the emphasis on the plight of Mar Menor had reached various locations, including cities like Prague and regions like Switzerland.

In Los Alcázares, the central hub of the Mar Menor defense movement, participants held hands along the beach of Espejo, echoing slogans such as ‘Let the seahorses return’. Both locals and tourists showed solidarity, demonstrating a unified call for action to safeguard the marine environment and halt sewage discharges.

The human chain served as a tribute to the successful citizen initiatives that led to Mar Menor being granted legal personhood in two thousand and twenty-two, marking it as the first ecosystem in Europe with its own rights. As activists and citizens around the world gathered simultaneously, they highlighted the shared responsibility to protect aquatic ecosystems and advocate against harmful industrial practices.