Advice on Los Alcazares - Page 3

Thank, Gerry, that's a very balanced and realistic assessment. 

It's good to see that not every property owner in the area is so defensive of his/her investment as to try to pre-empt discussion of very real issues -- which I believe is in any case the primary purpose of this forum.

It's hard to see how they could ever be resolved if everyone adopted an 'ostrich-with-head-in-the-sand' approach to them. 

My wife trains for triathlons in it and is several hundred metres off the beach. She say it's crystal clear out there as well.

How would all the cafes be open if there were awful smells? I ride it every day I'm out there. In the busy months there are loads of people sitting outside their properties all along the prom. Would they do that if it was smelling?

I'm sorry guys, but these comments do not represent the facts for LA up to Lo Pagan. I agree there are concerns about run-off from agricultural land, but the fact is plenty of us use the sea with no ill effects. From LA down I can't comment on water clarity because we don't swim in that area. I do know as you ride down the coast there is a smelly spot at the side of the F54 road about a mile from the edge of LA. This is quite isolated and isn't a beach area. There are no smells in Los Urrutius etc that I've ever noticed but I am passing through on the bike with just the occasional brief stop in that area.

For a more varied selection of comments on this topic, see the current thread 'Mar Menor Golf Resort' on the Mar Menor Forum at Mar Manor Golf Resort - General Mar Menor discussion - Mar Menor forum - Costa Cálida forum in the Murcia province of Spain (costacalidaforum.com)

Yes, I think you are correct. I'm in San P. & often walk by the sea from Lo Pagan to Santiago and never got a smell.  Having Saud that though the appearance of the water is not very appealing, it's far from clear.

A guy we know who likes to fish told us the northern part of the Mar Menor is not too badly affected by the run off from the farms and rain etc. But further south it's quite bad. I understand the famous "they" are trying to do something about it but I suspect it's a matter of establishing who is financially responsible, ie the Regional authorities or the Government.

  I believe they (Spain) are being fined heavily by Brussels for the state of the Mar Menor but I've been listening to this for over three years now and I'm not seeing any beneficial changes.  

I regularly cycle that stretch and am always struck by how clear the sea is, and that includes the bit that goes out past the mud lakes. I can't fathom how what I see is so different from you. And yes, I do get off the bike and have a dip at various points along the way. The number of fish you can see is pretty remarkable, and they are all alive too!

That's good to know. Haven't seen it that way myself. Hopefully it will be sorted in the coming years but it will take a long time to remedy the extensive damage.that has taken place over so many years and not dealt with.

Judging by the number of fishermen I see, particularly in late evening, there must be fish but I've never seen them due to the lack of clarity in the water. I must go to that area you mention and see what it's looking like now but lately I've been walking in a different area, closer to Santiago.

2 weeks ago a fisherman at LA had landed one that was more than a foot long. Impressive! I assume it was for eating as he kept it. Like I say, it's been clear whenever we've visited which is every month May to October (except August). Now just because it's clear it doesn't mean it's safe. However, so many swim in it each day including schoolkids, ourselves, lots of OAP groups, I find it hard to believe there is a problem currently. Obviously this is LA and upwards to Lo Pagan, I can't comment on the parts further down.

Just to clarify I abhor deliberate and careless pollution and hope the authorities wield a big stick.

One last point, cycling around I see many examples of drainage works underway. Lots of large pipes being laid and other works so there is a response in progress after all the flooding.

Hopefully that will help although I was told that pipe laying work is to do with the water supply - who knows🤔

Yes I agree, just because it's clear doesn't mean it's safe. But it must be safe up at the end you're describing though or the authorities  would have to close it off for bathers etc. Not sure how I'd feel about eating fish from it all the same. 

I just think it's criminal that such a beautiful part if the world, so unique, could be allowed to be let fall into such a deplorable state. It looks to me that if Brussels didn't intervene with heavy fines etc. it would have continued unabated and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the measures belatedly being taken will be successful in restoring the balance to this beautiful natural phenomenon. 

I also think the regional government should pay attention to so many areas on the Costa Cálida to restore and revamp them. Far too many shabby, neglected buildings and many needing a good lick of paint. I'm getting a bit carried away here so better stop but overall I love the time I spend here and intend to continue doing so until I drop. It's good to hear so many others like it so much too & hope you continue to enjoy it as much as you obviously do. 

The works I have seen are 100% storm drainage.

Yes I agree with what you say entirely, but Spain is suffering with severe economic difficulties too, and there will not be funding available. I hope some common sense now prevails with agricultural methods.

I can only visit for a week or so at a time because of grandchildren issues and my wife is still working so our time is a bit restricted. I've been out every month except August and will be there again in a week or so. I'm looking at December and January flights too. I thought the high summer temperatures would wipe me out but far from it, I just learned to get out early on my bike and get home by noon.

I'll be in the sea if it's not too cold too.

Well I hope you continue to enjoy it as much as you dio presently. How wonderful to have found a place you love so much. 

Thanks for clearing the issue of the pipes up for me. I don't know that many local Spanish people  yet, COVID intervened when we first got here but finding our feet now thankfully and local knowledge will filter down over time.We moved here in 2020 from Catalonia. We usually come for a few months early in the year when it's cold at home & then go back & then back in Sept until end Nov. Our passports are European so that helps. 

Like climate issues the problems with the Mar Menor cannot wait for fiscal circumstances to be right. That day will never come. Too much damage done already and if it carries on without being properly addressed the damage may be irreversible - if it isn't already. I read that things have reached the point whereby some officials are attempting to have the Mar Menor recognised as a living entity. Apparently the hope is that by so doing that would establish its entitlement to more funding. I hope it works but it's a measure of how bad things actually are. Ten out of ten for innovation though😉

Enjoy your pleasure in the Mar Menor and long may it continue.🚴