GENESIS OF THE MARINE RESERVE
The sea biodiversity, the beauty of the La Palma sea bed, the conditions of the sea fauna and the hope of improving it, encouraged the declaration in 2001 of a coastal strip, located in the Southwest of the island, as Marine Reserve (Act: O.M. July 18th 2001. BOE 185, August 3rd).
There are actually two reserves, one inside the other. The outer Marine Reserve covers some 3719 hectares off Fuencaliente's coastline, in the South of the island. This is managed by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries. Inside this is the "Reserva Integral" also known as the "Lugar de Interés Comunitario de la Franja Marina de Fuencaliente" or Fuencaliente Marine Special Conservation Area , which has been included in the Natura 2000. "Natura 2000" is the European network of protected sites which represent the most important natural habitats for species of plants and animals which are rare, endangered or vulnerable in the European community. Like the rest of the island, the Conservation Area is included in the La Palma World Biosphere Reserve.
The marine reserve is managed by the Administración General del Estado. Since the green area is more protected, some activities are permitted in the blue area and forbidden in the green one.
The main aim of the marine reserve is the protection, renewal and development of the resources of the area to guarantee the existence of species so that fishermen can continue fishing
At the same time, it is an useful educational tool which will help raise consciousness of the importance of the sea environment and the need to protect it.
Visitors should comply with the following rules:
- Do anything inside the green area, except scientific work which has been authorised in advance.
- Take part in commercial fishing in both the blue and green areas, except for boats registered to do so. (Resolución de 15 de septiembre de 2003. BOE 240, 7 octubre de 2003)
- Do recreational sea angling (hobby fishing)except from the shore outside the Head Nature Reserve and obeying Fisheries regulations APA/1936/2002, July 18th 2002. BOE 181, July 30th, 2002.
- Collect any sea flora or fauna species except authorised species from authorised boats.
Pesca Marítima profesional:
- As far as professional/commercial fishing is concerned, the following rules should be complied:
• Commercial fishing by means of hooks. Only those boats already included in the register are allowed to this. And only in the blue area.
• Commercial fishing to catch tuna fishes or bait for tuna fishes
Diving:
You may dive only in the blue area, and only with prior authorisation from the "Dependencia de Agricultura y Pesca" in Tenerife.
This is located in the former lighthouse in Fuencaliente.
Its main objective is to encourage the respect towards the sea, the sea life and angling. With this in mind, there is a display showing some problems affecting the sea life which the marine reserves try to solve.
The Área Funcional de Agricultura y Pesca in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, together with the Canary Marine Reserves, intends to launch a campaign designed to make people conscious of the importance of the sea life. Among other actions, this campaign includes the regular visits of schoolchildren. This, in turn, will help value and respect the Marine Reserve.
Basically, the Marine Reserve underlines and informs about:
1. The current situation of the sea bed and the result of human activities.
2. The sea life in the Marine Reserve
3. The work of the Marine Reserves to recover sea environments and habitats and consequently sea fauna.
4. The importance of our collaboration in the preservation of the sea habitats and environments.
Opening hours:
- In Summer (July 15th to September 15th): Wednesdays to Sundays, 10:00 - 18:00.
- Rest of the year:Tuesdays to Saturdays (09:00-17:00)
For further information, call922.480.223
Website: www.mapya.es/rmarinas
E-mail: reservasmarinas@mapya.es
Address:
Former Fuencaliente's lighthouse.
Email:
ibrito@tragsa.es; reservasmarinas@mapya.es
Official Website:
www.mapya.es/rmarinas
