The presence of dead fish on La Tejita beach, in Granadilla de Abona, is due to natural causes, according to the first estimates of the investigation carried out by both the Cabildo, through the Insular Agency of the Sea, As the Oceanographic Center of the Canary Islands. These are fish that inhabit the high seas, between 200 and 1,000 meters deep (mesopelagic), which end up stranding when they are dragged by currents or strong tides when they rise to feed on plankton at night.
This “natural phenomenon” is recorded in the Canary Islands “with some frequency” and requires specifying in each case, also in this case, the species of fish that are affected by each stranding. Currently, experts are evaluating what happened and identifying the variety that led this event. In any case, the sources consulted clarified that the number of dead specimens that were removed from La Tejita beach “is far from thousands.”
Salvar La Tejita sounded the alarm on Monday and assures that four species have been identified
Was the Save La Tejita Association the one that sounded the alarm last Monday, denouncing “the appearance of thousands of dead fish on La Tejita beach.” This environmental group stated, in its statement, that “at least four different species have been identified, and today, February 13, 2023, a report has been submitted to the Marine Environment Observers Network.”
Saving La Tejita was pointed out as a possible cause that, “just a few hundred meters away, the construction of another complex, Sotavento Suites, is underway.” He argues that, “despite the fact that the association requested information on this project in June 2022, they have not yet received any information on the wastewater treatment proposed for this complex. Nor has there been any record that the license has been published in the BOE and in a newspaper (both are required)”.
The investigation on this “natural phenomenon”, according to the first conclusions of the technicians, remains active until determining the species of the dead fish, how many and all the possible causes, according to the information available to the Cabildo.
