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Exciting news for Portmán Bay: the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge is set to relaunch the long-awaited regeneration project. This time, the focus is on recovering between 50 and 100 metres of the damaged coastline, with the work planned to start contracting in the first half of 2026.

 

The plan, due to be discussed with the Ayuntamiento of La Unión and local neighbourhood groups soon, hopes to restart in November by setting clear technical guidelines. Unlike earlier ideas that involved huge dredging operations, this one proposes a gentler approach - just minimal mechanical clearing at the surface to reduce environmental risks and keep the project manageable.

 

While the Ministry thinks this scaled-back method is the best way forward, residents and the Ayuntamiento are pushing for a more ambitious plan. They want the coastline to be extended by about 250 metres, along with restoring the old fishing port - a promise made back in 2006. Locals fear the new proposal might fall short of their expectations and feel the bay deserves a full cleanup, not just a partial fix. Daniel Portero, representing social groups, called the proposal “a break with a historic promise to residents.”

 

The Ministry stresses that removing all the mining waste dumped over decades would be technically challenging and environmentally risky, recalling that a previous attempt, started in 2011 and cancelled in 2019, only planned to extract a small fraction of the total pollution. This new plan would extract even less but hopes to do so safely and with community input.

 

The debate continues between environmental practicality and local demands, with plans to build a stable beach, improve the port area, and enhance natural spaces. Community representatives want better communication from officials before moving forward.

 

As the countdown begins to the project’s rebirth, residents of Portmán are watching closely, hoping this time the bay finally gets the restoration it so badly needs.

 

 

Image: Google maps