SHARE
COPY LINK

ENVIRONMENT

Spain grants personhood status to threatened Mar Menor lagoon

Spain has granted personhood status to Murcia's Mar Menor saltwater lagoon in order to give its threatened ecosystem better protection, the first time such a measure has been taken in Europe.

FILES-SPAIN-ENVIRONMENT-WATER-POLITICS-OCEANS
Ecologists have for years warned that the Mar Menor is slowly dying due to the runoff of fertilisers from nearby farms. (Photo by Jose Miguel FERNANDEZ / AFP)

The initiative to grant the status to the Mar Menor — one of Europe’s largest saltwater lagoons — was debated in parliament after campaigners collected over 500,000 signatures backing it.

It now becomes law after Spain’s Senate, the upper house of parliament, voted in favour of the proposal, with only far-right party Vox opposing it.

This will allow the rights of the lagoon located in southeastern Spain to be defended in court, as though it were a person or business.

“The Mar Menor becomes the first European ecosystem with its own rights after the Senate approved the bill to give it a legal identity,” the president of the Senate, Ander Gil, tweeted after the vote.

The lagoon will now be legally represented by a group of caretakers made up of local officials, scientists who work in the area and local residents.

Ecologists have for years warned that the Mar Menor is slowly dying due to the runoff of fertilisers from nearby farms.

In August 2021, millions of dead fish and crustaceans began washing up on the shores of the lagoon, which experts blamed on agricultural pollution.

They argue that sealife died due to a lack of oxygen caused by hundreds of tonnes of fertiliser nitrates leaking into the waters causing a phenomenon known as eutrophication which collapses aquatic ecosystems.

Two similar catastrophic pollution events occurred in 2016 and 2019.

Ecologists in October 2021 submitted a formal complaint to the EU over what they called Spain’s “continued failure” to protect the Mar Menor, which they warned was on the brink of “ecological collapse”.

The following month the Spanish government unveiled a 382-million-euro ($377 million) plan to regenerate the lagoon.

It outlines several environmental regeneration projects to support biodiversity in and around the lagoon, including the creation of a 1.5-kilometre (one mile) buffer zone along the Mar Menor’s shores.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

SPORT

What are the rules on fishing in Spain?

If you’re a keen fishing enthusiast, here’s everything you need to know about the rules on fishing in Spain, from whether you need a licence to where you’re allowed to fish.

What are the rules on fishing in Spain?

According to a study by the Department of Marine Ecology in Blanes, Catalonia, there are over 870,000 recreational fishers in Spain.

The most popular type of fishing is shore fishing, followed by boat fishing and then spearfishing.

If you’re interested in fishing in Spain, it’s important to be aware of the various laws that govern the sport here. Like with many things in Spain, the rules change depending on where you are in the country.

In most cases, you must obtain a fishing permit from the authorities in your region, sometimes these will also be valid for use in other regions too.

To get a permit you will need to be a resident in Spain or a citizen, however, there are areas where visitors can get permission to fish through tourism companies as well.

Madrid

In order to fish in Madrid you will need a valid fishing licence from the Community of Madrid and your ID card. 

In fishing reserves, controlled fishing areas, experimental fishing areas and in private waters, a personal fishing permit is also required for that particular place and date.

An order is published each season establishing the species that are allowed to be fished and the limitations for fishing in rivers, streams and reservoirs in the region. This order remains in force until it is replaced by the corresponding order for the following season.

The Annual Order establishes the maximum quota and minimum size you’re allowed to catch, depending on the species. 

You can apply for the licences here

Catalonia

To legally fish in Catalonia you must have a fishing licence. There’s a single licence that gives you the right to fish at sea throughout the Spanish State and in the continental waters of Catalonia. You can apply for it here.

It entitles you to fish in marine waters except in protected natural areas, in port waters or in some stretches of the coast during the summer swimming season. Remember you should check with your local town council as to the specific times you’re allowed to fish.

The recreational fishing licence is to be used for pleasure or sport (competition), without profit or commercial interest. Any catches obtained are to be used exclusively for your own consumption, and cannot be sold or traded.

Valencia

Valencia has around 542km of coastline and fishing has become very popular here. Recreational maritime fishing in the region, like in many others, is defined as any fishing activity that is carried out for pleasure or sport, without profit or commercial interest. Catches obtained are used exclusively for your own consumption. 

Fishing is allowed from land, from a boat or underwater.

In order to fish in Valencia you need a permit from the corresponding body. The regulation of recreational maritime fishing in inland waters is carried out by the General Subdirectorate of Fisheries, while fishing in other waters corresponds to the State Administration.

For more information on obtaining your licence for recreational maritime fishing click here.

To request authorisation of underwater recreational activities in the marine reserves and for the allocation of quotas click here

Andalusia

In August 2023, the Andalusian government approved a new decree that regulated recreational maritime fishing in the region. Andalusia has now granted more than 200,000 recreational fishing licences. The maximum volume of catch is now four kilos per license per day and a maximum of 25 kilos when in a boat.

Like in the other regions, a permit is needed in order to fish. Recreational fishing licences can be obtained from the age of 14 for a small fee and are free of charge from the age of 65. If you are here on holiday and want to fish for a few days you are able to apply for a simple licence.

There are four classes of licenses available:
– Class 1: Authorises the holder for recreational maritime fishing from land and is valid for three years.
– Class 2: Authorises its holder for recreational maritime fishing from a boat and is also valid for three years.
Class 3: Authorises recreational maritime fishing from a boat for several people that may not exceed the maximum number of capacity of the boat. It’s valid for one year.
– Class 4: Authorises underwater recreational maritime fishing and is also valid for one year.

You can apply here

Class 3 and 4 licences can only be obtained in person at any of the Territorial Delegations of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and/or Regional Agrarian Offices, by presenting an application. Office hours are from 9am to 2pm.

Balearic Islands

There are 4 types of fishing licenses for recreational sea fishing.

– The first is individual for use on land or from floating devices such as canoes and kayaks.
– The second is from a 6th and 7th list vessel.
– The third is for spearfishing, which can be obtained from age 16 and above.
– The final license enables you participate in official competitions and training.

Individual and boat licenses are valid for 3 years. Children under 14 years of age can practice fishing from land without the need for a licence.

For fishing in continental waters such as lakes, lagoons and rivers, you also need authorisation from the competent body of river fishing. You can apply here

Canary Islands

To carry out recreational fishing it is mandatory to have a fishing licence. Recreational fishing permits issued in other Spanish regions are also valid in the Canary Islands. There are three types of licenses available:

– First Class Licence: is required for fishing from a boat with a handline, rod, trolling line, surface trolling line and jig.
– Second Class Licence: required for spearfishing by hand or mechanically propelled means (spearguns) and shellfishing on foot.
– Third Class Licence: required for surface, shore and boat fishing and shellfishing on foot.

You can apply for the licences here.

Accidentally caught species that are prohibited or that do not reach the authorised size or weight must be returned to the sea. You must not use unauthorised gear, tackle and or other equipment, especially those intended for professional fishing.

You are also not allowed to fish in the same area as professional vessels.

SHOW COMMENTS