Partners
Partners
Project coordinator: Salinera Española, S.A.
Salinera Española is the company that has been operating the Salt Flats of San Pedro del Pinatar since 1920. The salt extraction involves specific and advanced industrial technology that has been updated historically until what it is today. Although Salinera Española’s objectives are closely related to the market economy, they are based on sustainable development, making salt exploitation compatible with the conservation of the territory and its biodiversity. Salinera Española has implemented ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards in its quality and environmental management systems, as well as the Certificate of Ecological Production of Salt from the Consejo Regulador de Agricultura Ecológica (CRAE). Salinera Española maintains excellent relations with the three administrations responsible for managing the territory in Spain (Local, Regional and National Government), being particularly close the rapport established with the Regional Administration, responsible for managing the Regional Park of the Salt Flats and Sand Areas of San Pedro del Pinatar since its creation in 1995. This collaboration and mutual understanding when developing the biodiversity conservation actions has favoured, among other challenges, 4 waterfowl species exceeding 5% of the Spanish nesting population in the salt flats: Gull-billed tern (Gelochelidon nilotica), Common tern (Sterna hirundo) and Sandwich tern (Sterna sand-vicensis). Furthermore, the nesting colony of Audouin’s Gull (Larus audouinii) has settled down reaching 465 nesting pairs in 2016.
Asociación de Naturalistas del Sureste (ANSE)
The Asociación de Naturalistas del Sureste (ANSE) is one of the oldest environmental NGOs in Spain. It was founded in 1973 and nowadays has a vast experience in the development of workshops linked to its great activist work. Cur-rently it has a national presence, even if its activity is focused on the south-eastern area of the Iberian Peninsula (Region of Murcia, Alicante, Almería and Albacete) and in the north of Africa (Morocco, Sahara and Algeria) where some initiatives have been developed. The association has actively participated in the development of other LIFE Projects, either as a partner, partner’s subcontractor or beneficiary: LIFE “Conservation of Larus audouinii in Spain, Grosa Island, Mur-cia” (LIFE03 NAT/E/000061) as a partner, LIFE “Conservation of Cetaceans and Turtles of Murcia and Andalusia”, LIFE “Mipolare” (LIFE09 ENV/ES/00011439) as a subcontractor and LIFE+ “Se-guraRiverlink” (LIFE12 ENV/ES/001140). At present, ANSE is taking part as a partner in the LIFE Projects Ripisilvanatura (LIFE13 BIO/ES/1407) and Tetraclinis Europa (LIFE13 NAT/ES/000436).
Dirección General del Medio Natural
In the field of nature conservation, the power of planning and management of the environment and its wildlife belongs to the Impulso Socioeconómico del Medio Ambiente Bureau; a public organism that depends on the Consejería de Agua, Agri-cultura y Medio Ambiente de la Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia (Department of Water, Agriculture and the Environment of the Autonomous Community of the Region of Mur-cia). The main activities carried out are:
-Planning and management of natural resources
-Conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, as well as its development plans
-Protection, conservation, improvement, planning and management of wild fauna and flora
-Protection, conservation, improvement, planning and management of natural habitats
-Development of management plans and standards for those areas included in Natura 2000
-Planning of actions for the conservation and custody of protected natural areas relating to the terrestrial environment, marine environment, coastline and wetlands
-Planning of actions and help lines for the sustainable development of protected natural areas and for the planning and adaptation of their public use
-Planning and management of possible uses of wild fauna respecting their conservation needs
Mãe d’água, Lda.
Technical consultancy organization specialised in areas of natural interest. Since its birth, in 1996, Mãe d’água has directly participated in several European projects related to salt flats: as a partner in the “Alas Project” (Ecos Ouverture) and as the national coordinator in Portugal in “SAL Project” (Interreg IIIB) and “ECOSAL ATLANTIS” (INTERREG IVB). By taking part in these projects for more than a decade, the team has gained a wide experience in different aspects regarding salt production in Portugal; not only in relation to the natural and cultural heritage related to salt landscapes or habitats, but also in the social context of salt production. In 2016 Mãe d’água also participated in a cultural heritage inventory for the Figueira da Foz salt flats.
Ayuntamiento de San Pedro del Pinatar
The Council of San Pedro del Pinatar, in particular the environmental department, is responsible for the protection of the local natural resources, the management of the urban area and the promotion of actions aimed at respecting the environment. Between 2008 and 2010 the Council carried out the project: “Studies and trials to contain dune erosion at the beaches of La Llana and Barraca Quemada” thanks to a grant awarded by the Biodiversity Foundation, belonging to the National Ministry of Environment. As a result, it was possible to obtain cartographic data with a side-scan sonar, to take samples and to do a granulometric analysis of the surface sedi-ment along the target area and to carry out research about the morphological evolution of the mentioned beaches conducted by the Environmental Dynamics Group of the University of Gra-nada. The Council maintains a permanent coordination with the General Directorate of the Nat-ural Environment so as to develop conservation actions in the Regional Park of the Salt Flats and Sand Areas of San Pedro del Pinatar.
Universidad de Murcia
The Geography department of the University of Murcia has participated in several research pro-jects, some of them regarding wind erosion and other concerning economic, social and environ-mental issues.
The projects on wind erosion are worth mentioning:
1. “Evaluation of the contamination by wind and water erosion of the areas and populations bordering the former mining area of La Union-Cartagena. Actions to be taken to minimise their effects”. Funding: Seneca Foundation (from 2006 to 2008).
2.“Evolution of water and wind erosion in zone II of the Burgos Basin, Tamaulipas (Mexico)”. Funding: AECID. Universities of Murcia, Polytechnic University of Cartagena, Malaga and the Au-tonomous University of Tamaulipas, Mexico (from 2009 to 2011).
3. “Wind erosion of sediments in a beach/lake system: in the Natural Park del Hondo. Size dis-tribution, PM10 fraction and lead levels of suspended dust”. Funding: Ministry of Science and
Innovation. Participants: University of Murcia, University Miguel Hernández of Elche and Uni-versity of the Basque Country (from 2009 to 2011).
Among the projects regarding economic, social and environmental issues, it is worth highlight-ing:
1. “Development of the methodology for the Integral restoration of the sites of Lo Poyo, La Hita and Marchamalo”. Funding: Fundación Universidad Empresa Comunidad Autónoma de la Re-gión de Murcia. Year 2000.
2. “Study for the management of the sands and pine forests of Coterillo in the Regional Park of the Salt Flats and Sand Areas of San Pedro del Pinatar”. Funding: Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Environment of the Community of Murcia. Year 2002.
Among the projects developed by the Department of Ecology and Hydrology, it is important to outline:
1. “Ecological status of semi-arid Mediterranean wetlands: proposal of indicators for their eval-uation”. Ministry of Education and Science. Year 2009.
At present, the department is participating in the LIFE “Ripisilvanatura Project” (LIFE13 BIO/ES/1407).