The UCA participates in the elaboration of the technical report for
the approval of the salt decree 11/17/2011
Theme: Research
The University of Cadiz will receive 484.000 euros from Coastal Protection for the cleaned up, restoration and
recovery of the ethnographic patrimony of the salt marshes La Esperanza
Technicians and scientists of the University of Cadiz, through the research group Humedales Costeros, directed by
the professor and director of the laboratories of the UCA in Los Toruños and salt marshes La Esperanza,
Alejandro Pérez Hurtado, and the assessment of the professor of Public Law, Maria Zambonino, have participated
in the production of the technical report that will present the normative proposal that the Council of Ministers
approved last Friday. This regulates the handmade production of salt and edible brines, which will reduce its
sodium chloride until 94% to compete with other countries.
Where there were 179 salt marshes in Cadiz, now we only can find four ones, with which the UCA has collaborated
for more than 20 years as regards research, restoration of handmade production and giving value to their
products. Precisely this year, the UCA has signed two specific agreements with the salt marshes San Vicente and
the Ministry of Environment to proceed the development of the project "Experiences of Use and Manoeuvre of
Handmade Salt Marshes: Integral Development of a System in the Process of Disappearing in the Salt Marshes
La Esperanza (Natural Park Bahia de Cadiz)"; which was awarded the Becas Soñadores, along with Genatur
Ecotourism, for the promotion of activities and ecotourism.
With the cession of the Andalusian Junta to the University of Cadiz allowing it to make use of La Esperanza, the
conservation of its rich biodiversity will surely improve; moreover, training, restoration and the transfer of salt marsh
culture will be promoted as well as the exploitation of traditional salt marshes and the development of
environmental and ecotourism education. Precisely, the general direction of the department for Coastal Protection
(Cadiz) of the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs has communicated that the money will be handed
today to the UCA so that it can start the second and third stage of cleaned-up of the salt marshes La Esperanza.
The work, which will take place for six months, will concentrate on what is left of the salt marshes Esperanza
Grande and Chica, through their hydrologic restoration, reinforcement, repairmen and reconstruction and recover
of the ethnographic patrimony.
Thus, salt makers will be able to commercialize not only virgin salt but the flower of salt without the limitations that
the Spanish norm has imposed to traditional salt marshes since 1983: marine salt must contain 97% of sodium
chloride. This prevented Spanish enterprises to compete as regards equality with French, Portuguese or Italian
exploiters. The vice-president of the Government, Manuel Chaves, visited the salt marshes yesterday in San
Fernando and thanked the University of Cadiz (UCA) for its work in the development of the new regulations, as
studies and research about the salt marshes have brought about the approval of the new decree.
The project of the salt marshes La Esperanza in Puerto Real is the result of the activities and projects previously
carried out by the group of conservation of coastal humidities as well as the volunteers of the Green Office of the
UCA. Perez Hurtado explained that some milestones must be highlighted as regard the trajectory of this group of
the UCA in benefit of the sector: the elaboration of the book Salt Marshes of Andalusia in 2004 and 2007,
coordinated by 31 members from France, Portugal and Spain for the revalorization of the cultural, environmental
and economic aspects of handmade salt marshes; and ultimately, the awarding of the grant Soñadores to two
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students, which is financed jointly by Loterias del Estado and National Geographic; with investments of 80.000
euros between 2011-2012 for the restoration and diffusion of handmade salt marshes and the creation of actions
in favour of the salt marsh La Esperanza.
Front page by Antonio Vázquez (La Voz Digital)
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