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Alarm in La Manga as dozens of dead fish appear near Mar Menor shoreline
The discovery prompted fears of a repeat of previous ecological crises, but authorities say there is no threat to the Mar Menor
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Residents and holidaymakers in La Manga were left deeply concerned on Wednesday morning, July 8, after dozens of dead fish were spotted floating near the shoreline of the Mar Menor, raising fears of a possible new environmental incident in the troubled lagoon.
The fish were discovered near kilometre 12 of La Manga, close to Playa Mistral and the Paquebote restaurant, where witnesses reported seeing large numbers of fish drifting among the rocks and in shallow water.
Given the Mar Menor's recent history, the sight immediately prompted concern among many locals. Images of dead fish washing ashore have become closely associated with some of the lagoon's worst environmental crises in recent years, and any similar incident tends to attract immediate attention.
However, regional authorities have moved quickly to reassure the public that this latest discovery is not linked to water quality problems or oxygen depletion in the lagoon.
According to the Regional Ministry responsible for monitoring the Mar Menor, an environmental officer was sent to inspect the area shortly after reports were received. Following an on-site assessment, officials concluded that the fish were discarded catches from fishing activity rather than the result of an environmental event.
Investigators noted that many of the fish had their heads removed, an early indication that they were likely fishing discards. The assessment later confirmed this theory, with officials identifying the fish as mainly sardines that had been discarded by fishermen several days earlier before eventually washing ashore.
Maintenance crews from the Mar Menor service removed the fish from the area later the same day.
The discovery nevertheless brought back memories of the ecological disasters that have affected the Mar Menor over the past decade.
In 2019, thousands of fish and crustaceans died after oxygen levels in parts of the lagoon collapsed following heavy rainfall and nutrient run-off from nearby farmland. The crisis shocked residents and drew international attention to the environmental problems facing Europe's largest saltwater lagoon.
A similar event occurred again in 2021, when more than 4.5 tonnes of dead fish were removed from beaches around the southern basin of the Mar Menor after another severe episode of oxygen depletion.
Since then, the lagoon has been subject to intensive environmental monitoring, with authorities closely tracking water quality, oxygen levels and ecological conditions throughout the year.
