Continuous population growth and changes in eating habits have increased the demand for fish products. This has escalated the fishing effort, which in turn entails the use of tackle for fishing on a massive scale that is harmful to the environment and increases poaching.
The coastal areas support a great many activities which have a direct or indirect impact on marine resources, including commercial and sport fishing, sewer pipelines, artificial beaches, tourist activities and shipping. The Council of Tenerife is developing procedures to strengthen and enhance resource conservation policies in line with sustainable development.
- Azul Marino, an exhibit of the Canary Islands' marine ecosystems.
- Awareness raising campaigns to promote a responsible attitude towards fishing and the consumption of fish products.
- Proposed Environmental Monitoring Plan for Aquaculture.
- A study of local ocean currents.
- Talks and activities related to the marine environment and Tenerife's coasts for schoolchildren and other groups.
- Cleaning of the coastline and seabeds.
- Exploitation and assessment of deep sea fishing resources.
- Cooperation in the drawing up of bionomic and bathymetric maps of the Island.
- Control of the population of Diadema aff. antillarum sea urchins on Tenerife Island, with a proposal of areas of operation to improve the marine environment.
Important marine reserves
The creation of protected marine spaces or marine reserves is one of the measures proposed to fight overfishing and pressure of the human population on the coastline. The aims pursued by creating protected areas can be summarised into three specific aspects.
- Conservation of biodiversity (populations, species and ecosystems) and essential ecological processes.
- Maximising of the productive capacity of coastal fishing resources in specific areas undergoing intensive exploitation, thereby raising capture levels.
- Attaining a rational use of resources that will promote sustainable fishery and social development in the area, permitting the survival of fishing communities and related cultural processes.
- Marine Reserve for Fisheries in Anaga Study area: municipal districts of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Laguna, between Punta de Antequera and Punta del Frontón.
- Marine Reserve for Fisheries in Teno Study area: municipal district of Buenavista del Norte, between Punta de La Gaviota and Punta de Los Machos.
The main outcomes sought with the promotion of the Marine Reserves for Fisheries can be summarised as follows:
- Conservation of seabeds and habitats.
- Protection of marine animal and plant life.
- Higher fishing yields.
- Enhanced tourist and recreational offer.
- Educational and cultural.
Associated documents
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