Crisis in Canary Islands as tourists in Tenerife cause new problem

Unregulated tourist activity is endangering the lives of whales in a Tenerife sanctuary for aquatic animals. The Teno-Rasca Marine Conservation Zone is Europe's first official whale sanctuary, located off Tenerife's busy south-west coast.

The 70,000-hectare protected area was declared a conservation zone in 2011 and is home to more than 300 pilot whales. It also plays host to up to 20 other species of cetaceans, along with threatened marine turtles. Strict rules protecting the marine animals are theoretically in place. One prohibits swimming with whales and dolphins.

However, the regulations are not being enforced properly, according to conservationist groups.

They say tourists are endangering the lives of the protected animals through reckless behaviour which is going unpunished by the authorities.

Jet skis, speedboats and unauthorised excursions frequently approach marine wildlife at high speed.

Marine scientists say there have been collisions with the animals, and the increased tourist activity around them is causing them stress and forcing changes to their behaviour.

They also say the underwater noise produced by jet skis and speed boats is disrupting their communication and rest.

"The animals are suffering chronic stress," a researcher told the canarianweekly.com media website. "Turtles risk collision and whales are altering their natural behaviour to avoid disturbance."

Licensed tour operators make good money from running trips to the sanctuary, but are facing increasing competition from illegal businesses.

These unlicensed operators are offering kayak and snorkelling trips with dolphins and turtles for as little as €40.

Licensed tour firms are supposed to display a "Blue Boat" flag, but authorities rarely carry out checks.

A patrol and surveillance boat was purchased in 2019, but reportedly has been absent during the peak summer season.