The Coto de la Isleta Environmental Education and Nature Activities Center (CEAAN), in El Puerto de Santa María, hosted the symposium Bahía de Cádiz – Metrópoli del Agua. This professional gathering brought together about twenty technicians and specialists in tourism, ecotourism, and the blue economy to analyze the potential of the salt pans, esteros, and marshes of the Bahía de Cádiz Natural Park as a tourist resource.

The initiative, organized by the NGO Salarte, took place on May 25th and 26th, combining technical presentations, field visits, and destination promotion activities. During the event, the project Bahía de Cádiz – Metrópoli del Agua was presented, an initiative funded with 300,000 euros that has incorporated new facilities at Coto de la Isleta to strengthen its role as an access point to the natural park.

Among the improvements made are the restoration and adaptation of the San Pedro River pier, with the installation of a 30-linear-meter floating pontoon. Additionally, new interpretive signage on flora, fauna, and cycling routes linked to marshes and salt pans has been installed, along with public use equipment and a Nature Classroom focused on birds and marsh ecosystems.

The first day featured presentations by professionals involved in the sustainable management of salt pans and esteros, such as Juan Carlos Sánchez de Lamadrid (Salinas de Cádiz), Myriam Retamero (CTAQUA), and Carlos León (Grupo Aponiente), who presented projects like Aponiente Marismas 2026. Experiences from other salt-producing territories, such as the Valle Salado de Añana (Álava) and Flor de Sal d’Es Trenc (Mallorca), were also shared.

Attendees toured the facilities of Coto de la Isleta, visited the Museo del Cargadero, and the Castillo de San Marcos. The second day included a visit to the Salina San José and the Molino de Mareas El Caño, followed by a nautical route from Puerto Sherry.

The symposium concluded with a workshop focused on designing and marketing tourist products linked to the natural and cultural resources of the area, aiming to develop new proposals around ecotourism and the blue economy in the Bahía de Cádiz. The activity was supported by CEAAN Coto de la Isleta, the Fundación Aponiente, and the City Council of El Puerto de Santa María, and was funded by the Provincial Council of Cádiz.