Isle of Canary administrations are pushing for a reform of the 40-year-old Coastal Law, stating it’s outdated for the current needs of the archipelago. Antonio Acosta, the director general of Coasts for the Canary Islands Government, emphasised that they are ready to manage their coastlines responsibly, aiming to protect and develop the region.
Mari Brito, president of the Canary Federation of Municipalities (Fecam), highlighted a specific blockage issue: when the Ministry disapproves of a concession granted by the Canary Islands Government, it fails to establish a fee, halting the procedure. This often leads to the necessity of a bilateral interpretation committee to resolve disputes.
Acosta pointed out that, despite drafting their own regional Coastal Law, the Canary Islands’ autonomy is still limited by Spanish law, which overrides local legislation. They also voiced concerns regarding the central government retaining control over concession fees for coastal activities, which can delay approvals if not agreed upon.
In response to these challenges, the regional government and coastal municipalities have organised a forum for 77 coastal towns, scheduled for 30 June at the Oceanographic Institute of Tenerife in Santa Cruz. This event aims to foster dialogue and collaboration between municipalities and the Canary Islands Government to seek joint solutions. Acosta noted that the forum will facilitate discussions to enhance local management of coastlines while ensuring environmental protection.
