PROGRAMME
Thursday, 12 June ||| OPEN DAY
Presentations of sector interest and an overview of SEASALT Europe’s 2024–2025 agenda.
9:30 | Reception & accreditation at Club Náutico of Santa Pola.
10:00 – 10:20 | Welcome speech by the President.
10:20 – 11:00 | Guest Speaker: Dr Elisa Guerra-Doce, Professor of Prehistory at the University of Valladolid and expert in archaeological studies related to salt.
Talk title: “Salt Archaeology in Europe: Prehistoric Testimonies of an Age-Old Activity”
Synopsis: Salt production is one of the oldest human industries, with origins dating back to Prehistory. In recent decades, “Salt Archaeology” has emerged as a dynamic field dedicated to revealing the historical relevance of this essential but elusive substance—often invisible in archaeological records due to its solubility. Rather than focusing on consumption, this research investigates prehistoric salt production centres, including rock salt mines and evaporation ponds powered by solar energy or fire. Dr Guerra-Doce will offer an overview of prehistoric salt-extraction techniques across Europe, with special emphasis on her research at the Lagunas de Villafáfila (Zamora, Spain), where salt production has been traced back to the late 3rd millennium BC.
11:00 – 11:20 | Coffe break
11:20 – 12:00 | Guest Speaker: Dr Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa, Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, University of Alicante. Her research focuses on extremophile microorganisms in saline environments.
Talk title: Microorganisms of the Santa Pola’s saltern ponds: from salt mining to industry and global biotechnology and biomedicine
Synopsis: An update on cutting-edge research in marine saltworks biotechnology, exploring the promising industrial applications of halophilic microorganisms that thrive in high-salinity ecosystems.
12:00 – 12:45 | Overview of SEASALT Europe’s 2024–2025 highlights, presented by the Technical Advisors and Communication team.
13:00 – 14:00 | Visit to the Bras del Port sea saltworks.
14:00 | Closing lunch at Gola Beach, where the seawater that feeds Bras del Port’s ponds is sourced.
The event is expected to conclude by 18:00.
Dress code: Casual & comfortable footwear recommended