Help form a human chain to protect the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe

Ever since alarm bells started ringing a decade ago over the marine environment of the Mar Menor large demonstrations of public outrage have been demanding action to protect the lagoon, among the most important being the Embrace the Mar Menor campaign every August.

The idea of this demonstration is to form a human chain around the lagoon, and while this is not quite possible for logistical reasons huge numbers of people usually join in.

Los Alcázares, unsurprisingly, is one of the municipalities vehemently calling for action, all the more so after years of largely ineffectual discussions and proposals on the part of regional and national governments, and the Town Hall is one of more than 40 organisations backing the event on 8^th August 2026. Participants are invited – almost urged, if truth be told! - to come along to the beaches of Playa del Espejo, Playa la Concha, Playa Las Palmeras, Playa Los Narejos, Playa Las Salinas and the town of Los Narejos to strengthen the chain by adding an extra link where necessary (and even where not, to show support!).

At the same time, this is just a part of a much larger global event in which human chains are planned at rivers, lakes and coastlines across Spain and around the world as they highlight the growing threats facing rivers, lakes, seas and other waterways around the world.

The campaign is based on the message that 'all water is the same water, and all seas are the same sea,' and anyone is welcome to get involved. Families, local groups, schools, clubs and associations are all being encouraged to organise their own 'hug' at a nearby river, lake, or beach they want to help protect, whether in Spain or anywhere else in the world.

This year, events have already been confirmed in Sweden, where four separate human chains are planned, as well as Argentina. Across Spain, people will also gather at La Janda lagoon in Cádiz, the Bullaque River in Ciudad Real, the Dílar River in Granada province and Camelle beach in A Coruña.

 

For more local information in English, including news, what’s on and visiting advice, contact the tourist offices in Los Alcázares (main telephone number 968 575756) or go to the home page of Los Alcázares Today.

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