The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council continues to endorse the initiative “Assessment of Las Teresitas beach as a Breeding Ground for Angelsharks (Squatina squatina)” aimed at implementing measures that ensure the preservation of this critically endangered species while safeguarding its habitat along the coast of Santa Cruz.
This initiative, part of the Angel Shark Project: Canary Islands (ASP:CI), involves collaboration with the Santa Cruz Sostenible Foundation, the Moeve Foundation, and scientific institutions including the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC). Under this project, a monitoring campaign was conducted at Las Teresitas beach from December 11 to 13 to assess the presence and population of juvenile angelsharks in the vicinity.
The mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, emphasises that “the City Council is dedicated to the preservation of our marine ecosystem, and Las Teresitas beach is vital for the survival of the angelshark, which faces critical extinction risks. The ongoing monitoring campaign is another step in our commitment to conserving this significant natural habitat and ensuring a future for this species.”
Carlos Tarife, the Councillor for Public Services, Environment, and vice president of the Sustainable Santa Cruz Foundation, remarks that “this initiative is crucial for enhancing our understanding of the angel shark’s status on our island, enabling us to act appropriately. With the findings from the monitoring conducted recently, we will be able to refine our conservation strategies and educate residents and beachgoers on the importance of safeguarding Las Teresitas and its biodiversity.”
“This initiative showcases the Moeve Foundation’s dedication to biodiversity preservation and underscores the importance of partnerships in safeguarding the angelshark and its ecosystem,” Belén Machado adds.
The information gathered during this monitoring campaign will aid in ascertaining whether the recent decline in the angelshark population is an isolated occurrence or represents a substantial shift in their utilisation of Las Teresitas beach as a breeding ground. Consequently, the outcomes will inform decisions regarding the necessary conservation measures to protect the angelshark and its habitat.
