HUIIKE committed to Mar Menor

Finally, after so long, we can bring to light Little Sea, our paddle surf board inspired by the Mar Menor, with a sample that presents the main marine species that inhabit it.

The time was right. We knew that sooner or later we had to work on a project involving the Mar Menor Lagoon, a natural environment that represents so much for the brand and for the whole team that makes it up.

HUIIKE was born in Balsicas in the year 2022, a small town in the Region of Murcia just 15 km from the shore of the Mar Menor. Practically all of us in the team have a close relationship with this special place in the landscape of the Region of Murcia. Some of us live in Santiago de la Ribera, which is located right on the coast of the Mar Menor, and others have spent our summers in small towns bathed by its beaches, such as Los Narejos, Los Alcázares, Los Urrutias, Los Nietos, Lo Pagán or La Manga.

More than a feeling

The Albufera means more than just the largest saltwater lagoon in Europe. It is part of our history, thousands of memories and experiences lived with our people for so many years. HUIIKE carries the slogan Life is a journey to be experienced, and, without a doubt, the Mar Menor was, is and will be for all of us.

We know that there is a lot of controversy about the state of the lagoon, and the main conclusion is that we are NOT knowing how to protect and take care of it. From here we do not intend to politicize the issue. It does not concern us. Therefore, we want to do our bit by giving visibility to the Mar Menor and helping the conservation of its rich diversity.

For all that it represents for HUIIKE, we felt that we had and wanted to take a step in that direction, making the situation visible and contributing to its recovery.

And how could we contribute? After searching for different associations and investigating their activities, we found through the contact of friends the project Banco de Especies del Mar Menor of the Aquarium of the University of Murcia.

The great work of the Species Bank of the University of Murcia Aquarium

This initiative, promoted by the Aquarium of the University of Murcia, a center integrated in the Vice-Rectorate of Research of the University, in coordination with the General Directorate of the Mar Menor, arose with the aim of ensuring the permanence over time of the populations of endangered species of the flora and fauna of the lagoon.

The curators of the Species Bank work on protocols for the maintenance and reproduction of species characteristic of the Mar Menor, such as the seahorse and the nacre. As a result of their research, those in charge have managed to establish a stock of about 4,000 seahorses and are working tirelessly to achieve the same results with the nacre.

The aim of this initiative is to provide the Mar Menor with reserves of species from the lagoon. In this way, if stagnation or regression is detected, it allows researchers to launch a recovery and repopulation project, so that future generations can discover the great natural diversity of this area.

Our little grain of sand

Our contribution to this great initiative comes from the "Little Sea" and the great community that is HUIIKE. Together, we contribute to the success of the Mar Menor Species Bank project.

That's why we've decided to donate €5 from the sale price of every Little Sea paddle surfboard sold to the purchase of technological equipment for the Aquarium. Specifically, devices that help to constantly monitor the condition of the water in the breeding tanks. These systems allow conservators to control the physical and chemical parameters of the water to ensure the quality of life of the young animals.

Marta Rodríguez, Creative Director of HUIIKE (left) | Emilio Cortés, Technical Director and Curator of the Aquarium of the University of Murcia (center) | José García, General Manager of HUIIKE (right)

"The technology and equipment of the seahorse breeding tanks allows us to continuously monitor the water conditions, conditions that we know at all times if they are within the appropriate values or if there is a problem and we can solve it quickly," explains Emilio Cortés, technical director and curator of the Aquarium of the University of Murcia.

Thanks to you!

As the year draws to a close, it's time to take stock. We are delighted to thank you for the enormous acceptance of our tribute to the Mar Menor, both here in Murcia and throughout the rest of Europe. Little Sea is a creation born of affection, dedication, and love for our sea, and we are thrilled that it has captured so many hearts.

Since its launch in June 2025, 542 Little Sea paddle surfboards have been sold, a significant figure that has made our initiative with the Mar Menor Species Bank project a success in its first year.

All of you have made it possible to raise €2,240 net, an amount that has been donated to the University of Murcia Aquarium for the purchase of monitoring equipment to control the water quality in the breeding tanks.

We are fully committed to this initiative and are excited about the new projects being launched by the Aquarium to protect, conserve, and ensure the well-being of the great biodiversity that makes up the Mar Menor Lagoon.

For this reason, we are proud to announce that we will continue to collaborate with the Mar Menor Species Bank project in 2026, with the aim of making our next contribution even greater and helping to improve the work carried out by the Aquarium's researchers.

And here is the team that is making it possible, from design, through media and catalog, to finance, logistics and distribution; normal people eager to move forward, contribute and continue growing.

Will you join us in this initiative? ;)