ARCHIVED - Murcia and Spanish news round-up week ending 21st February 2020

Murcia gridlocked as protesting farmers bring the city to a standstill

The week in Murcia is ending with traffic in the regional capital gridlocked as the Gran Vía and other main streets are filled with an estimated 250 tractors driven by farmers protesting over the low prices which make some of their crops unviable.

Having made their way into the cities in three columns of farm vehicles during the morning, a massive crowd of farmers packed the Gran Vía as they marched towards the delegation of the central government in the Region of Murcia, on the north bank of the River Segura, highlighting both the importance of the agricultural sector in this part of Spain and the difficulties they are facing at present in maintaining their levels of production.

Los #AgricultoresAlLimite muestran sus reivindicaciones tirando #brócoli @Proexport_Spain @ASAJAMURCIA @COAGMurcia @UPA_Murcia @UPA_Federal @A_Gongora_COAG @AsajaNacional @mercagrisa #Murcia pic.twitter.com/c00iOYKnD8

— REVISTA F&H (@REVISTAFYH) February 21, 2020

Not least among those difficulties, of course, is the relationship between crop farming in the fertile Campo de Cartagena and the accelerated rate of change in the marine environment of the Mar Menor, an issue which it is impossible to ignore in the current affairs of the Costa Cálida at the moment. This week it has been confirmed that the regional government is devoting 56 million euros of its budget in 2020 to addressing the problems in the lagoon, 23 million from the Department of the Environment alone, while at the same time reiterating that in their view it is the responsibility of the national government to prevent more water containing nutrients from the crop fields making their way into the Mar Menor and accelerating the proliferation of green algal bloom which is already very noticeable in some areas.

In the meantime, Antonio Luengo, the minister for Water, Agriculture and the Environment in the Murcia government, reiterated on Tuesday that the water of the Mar Menor is still perfectly fit for bathing although the greenish appearance of the water, he admitted, is not a pleasant sight. There are no signs of toxicity or unhealthy levels of bacteria in the water – if there were, the government would inform the public immediately – but at the same time the reality is that as soon as the severe flooding caused by the “gota fría” storm of last September began to ease observers were already aware that a difficult period lay ahead for the Mar Menor, and that is now proving to be the case.

At the same time, it should be stressed that the green vegetation is mainly in a few areas of shallow water along the fringes of some parts of the lagoon and that efforts are being made to clear it from the water wherever it appears!

Elsewhere, the weather continued to be a talking point, especially in the first half of the week after thick morning fog forced the diversion of more flights heading towards Alicante to the Region of Murcia International Airport in Corvera. In January passenger numbers were boosted considerably by a number of diversions, and although this time only half a dozen extra services landed and took off at Corvera the fog provided another gentle push in the right direction for the new airport while afternoon temperatures reached a very pleasant 26 degrees! By the end of the week, though, more usual February temperatures had returned and the weekend ahead looks like being a fine one but with maximums “only” around 20!

After watching the depressing scenes this week on UK TV showing the devastating floods which have yet again hit the UK, "only" around 20 feels pretty good.

Other items in the news this week

Los Alcázares presents initial flood protection project to the Murcia government: a 2-million-euro budget for increased drainage capacity in the centre of Los Alcázares…

British ringleader arrested at the first underground cigarette factory discovered in Europe: the hidden factory in Málaga produced 6 million euros’ worth of cigarettes a month!

Town Halls empowered to undertake rapid clearing and maintenance of rivers and waterways: long delays in authorization have made it hard for councils to react to flood damage in the past.

Huge beams arrive in Lorca for construction of a new V-shaped road bridge: the 3.6-million-euro bridge over the River Guadalentín will be the first of its kind in the regional road network of Murcia.

Gas maintenance conmen operating in Lorca: scams like this are all too common in Spain – don’t allow "inspectors" in unless a pre-booked appointment has been made!

More lifeguards on the beaches of La Azohía and Isla Plana this summer: the new lifeguard services contract at Cartagena beaches is being put out to tender to cover the summers of 2020 and 2021.

Fishermen demand fish farming rethink after winter storms destroy enclosures: escaped sea bass and bream bring market prices down and threaten other species although leisure fishermen aren´t amongst those complaining.

Glut of zebra crossings sends Cartagena back street viral on social media! 24 crossings in 800 metres in Calle Floridablanca in the Barrio del Peral, a narrow one-way road in the northern outskirts of the city has even made the national media this week!

Murcia bomb disposal team deactivates Civil War shell near Yecla: hundreds of Civil War explosives are found every year although the conflict ended 81 years ago, this one in Almansa the latest of many in the south-east of Spain.

Mass death of 100 starlings in Catalunya: mystery solved! Contamination and electrocution theories overturned by video footage of the tight-knit flock being hit by a car on the motorway in Tarragona.

More Bulgarian and Czech tourists heading for La Manga and the Mar Menor this year: 8,500 visitors from eastern Europe are to spend 70,000 nights in the Costa Cálida due to deals struck by the regional government.

Cartagena Town Hall boards up properties to deter squatters: houses in the Los Naranjos area of La Palma are being bricked up by council workers!

80 Algerian migrants intercepted off the Costa Cálida over the weekend: 6 boats were spotted as Algerian migrants took advantage of calm sea conditions before being brought ashore in Cartagena.

Arqua underwater archaeology museum in Cartagena to close for six months: the lower floor of the museum is in danger of becoming an underwater exhibit itself due to insufficient protection against leaks during construction.

Murcia flu epidemic on the wane: 17 per cent fewer new cases in the Region last week as the winter comes to an end in the Costa Cálida.

Totana Town Hall denounces motocross event at circuit where a rider died last year: the threat of closure hangs over the Los Balcones circuit near Cañadas de Romero following the tragic death of a young British rider there in December but a regional moto-cross championship took place last weekend.

Totana troubadour celebrates his 108th birthday! El Tío Juan Rita reaches 108; is it down to the healthy Costa Cálida lifestyle or his active participation in musical events as the best known trovero in the region.

Another major summer music festival added to the calendar in San Javier: Fan Futura Fest takes place between 21st and 26th July on the shore of the Mar Menor.

Down Syndrome associations plant new trees at Terra Natura Murcia wildlife park: the Town Hall of Murcia aims to double the number of trees in the municipality to 200,000 and Terra Natura Natura lends a hand.

Mazarrón promotes dive tourism at major event in Catalunya: the marine reserve of Cabo Tiñoso attracts divers to the bay of Mazarrón all year round.

Police officers in Valencia save 2-month-old baby after 20 minutes of resuscitation: persistence pays off for hero policemen who refused to give up on the lifeless infant!

8,000 euros for naturalists attempting to reactivate old salt flats alongside the Mar Menor: The salt pans of Marchamalo are a perfect habitat for various wading birds including flamingos.

Stolen plaque from Cartagena Semana Santa monument recovered by police: vandalism and damage to the Monumento al Procesionista has been constant since it was moved to its current location.

Dolphins save the day for sailing fans after cancellation of Águilas regatta: the Carnival Regatta on Sunday was cancelled due to lack of wind but frolicking dolphins provided an alternative aquatic show!

95 jobs lost as Sabic closes high-tech plastics plant in Cartagena: the La Aljorra plant will be maintained in case re-opening becomes viable in the future, according to the Saudi-owned manufacturing company which is among the largest in the world in the field of petrochemicals yet received substantial subsidies to create the jobs in the first place.

Leishmaniasis vaccinations for dogs, highly recommended in Mediterranean regions of Spain: no fully effective vaccine has been developed but jabs are a sound investment in your dog’s health;  don´t delay as spring approaches and sand flies become more active; get your dogs vaccinated.

Cartagena embarks on new generation of multacars to enforce parking regulations: the first multacar was responsible for 3,500 fines over a period of 14 years.

Fortuna man arrested in connection with the violent deaths of 4 greyhounds: hunters often dispose of their dogs as quickly as possible when they are too old to be of use, but hanging and throwing them down a well is not an accepted means of disposal anywhere.

Two arrested after stealing items worth 20,000 euros from a home in Totana: most of the stolen goods have been recovered by the Guardia Civil.

Courts approve restrictions on events in the Jardín de Floridablanca in Murcia: festive celebrations are to be limited in the oldest public park in Spain.

Would you like to receive this bulletin?

If you enjoyed this free weekly round-up, then please forward it on to your friends. If you have received this from a friend and would like to have it sent directly, then click Register for weekly bulletin to sign up.

CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THIS FREE WEEKLY ROUND-UP BY EMAIL

NONE OF THE TODAY PRODUCTS HARVESTS OR SELLS EMAILS IN ANY WAY and we GUARANTEE your details will not be passed on, sold, or used for any other purpose, and are maintained in an off-site facility from which you can unsubscribe at any time.

We also welcome contributions from local charities or clubs, including post event reports, news items and forthcoming events. Use the contact button in the top header to contact our editorial team.

Images: Copyrighted Murcia Today, full or partial reproduction prohibited, other images as attributed on individual news articles.