The Azure Dream of Tenerife

“Tenerife is a blue island and a magical place precisely because of the sea that surrounds us”. These are the words of the founder of Innoceana, Carlos Mallo, the environmentalist awarded this year’s Goldman Prize – considered the ‘Nobel of the Environment’ – for the work of his association and one of the most influential voices in the defence of marine ecosystems and the promotion of a more sustainable tourism model for the islands.

And precisely that is the path taken by the Tenerife Council, under its president, Rosa Dávila, who participated yesterday in the activities organised on the occasion of World Oceans Day. “This year we have broken the record for participants, as we had a thousand people involved in nearly thirty activities distributed across 22 municipalities,” explains Dávila.

The president of the Council accompanied a group of volunteers in the Special Natural Reserve of Malpaís de Güímar, where she participated in a hiking and waste collection itinerary. Later, she visited the beaches of Arico and San Miguel, personally thanking the efforts of the teams deployed on the southern coast of the island. “Tenerife has shown that it has a huge heart that beats to the rhythm of our Atlantic Ocean. Thank you for taking care of what unites us the most,” says Dávila, who was accompanied by the head of the Environmental Participation and Volunteering Office, Yayi Martín.

“Environmental volunteering in Tenerife is a way of life and it is an essential part of our character and identity as an island. Thanks to those who invest their time, energy, and commitment in this collective task,” says Rosa Dávila, who also reaffirms the Council’s commitment to zero waste: “We have absolute determination to achieve zero waste and that all blue flags fly on our beaches. It is an undeniable goal that we must reach for the good of Tenerife.”

The events for World Oceans Day were promoted by the Council through the Department of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security and Emergencies, and the Office of Environmental Participation and Volunteering with the support of 62 public and private entities. Under the theme “Reconnect with the Tide”, this edition has been the most crowded to date, marking a milestone in participation for the protection of the marine environment.

Activities across the island

The Councillor for Natural Environment and Sustainability, Blanca Pérez, visited north-eastern locations such as Mesa del Mar (Tacoronte), La Punta del Hidalgo and Jover (La Laguna) and Playa La Nea (El Rosario), where she attended a turtle release, while the Island Director for the Natural Environment, Pedro Millán, and the Councillor for Youth and Training, Serafín Mesa, travelled to Playa del Bollullo (La Orotava), San Juan de la Rambla and La Guancha.

Blanca Pérez explains that the defence of the sea “is a priority and that is why we have approved the I Volunteer Strategy for the Coast of Tenerife 2025–2028, a pioneering document that seeks to coordinate, professionalise, and strengthen voluntary action in the protection of the island’s marine ecosystems. Its main lines of action are based on biodiversity conservation, recovery and regeneration of coastal ecosystems, and environmental education and awareness.”

In this regard, Pedro Millán highlights that the strategy “is the result of a participatory and collaborative process in which more than twenty social and environmental entities have been involved and establishes a common framework to improve coordination between administrations, associations, and citizens, with the aim of building a strong, trained, and committed Coastal Volunteer Network.”

Among the priority lines of the I Volunteer Strategy for the Coast of Tenerife 2025–2028 are administrative simplification for actions on the coast, strengthening the training of volunteers, and creating digital tools such as an interactive map and a resource library. It also includes an annual volunteer meeting, new alliances with the educational and business sectors, and continuous evaluation mechanisms.

More activities and 2,000 participants

In addition to the environmental actions held at the beach on the main day of the Oceans Day, a parallel schedule of activities is being developed which will extend until 15 June, accounting for a total participation of 2,000 people, including environmental volunteers and attendees at different events.

The following activities are upcoming:

– Interpretive Visit to the Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA). 9 June, in shifts at 10 and 12 h. Activity aimed at environmental volunteers with a guided tour of the Marine Biology Room, including specimens of abyssal species. Participates Alejandro de Vera, MUNA technician.

– Online Sessions: Marine Conservation in Tenerife. Digital format. 12 June, from 17:00 to 19:30 h. Experts from the Council and specialised entities will address topics such as artisanal fishing, plastic pollution, and marine reserve proposals. Participates technical personnel from MUNA, Coastal Action Group Zone 4 and FEDECAS.

– Additionally, the programming for World Oceans Day will continue on Saturday, 15 June, with new volunteer actions. In the Almáciga area, a land cleaning will be carried out in collaboration with neighbourhood and environmental groups, while at Playa de Las Teresitas, underwater clean-ups will be conducted by federated divers, thus reinforcing the protection of both the coastal environment and the marine ecosystem.

Also, on Saturday, 15 June, Playa de Martiánez, in the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz, will host a day of waste cleaning accompanied by sampling for the analysis and classification of the collected debris. This activity will not only reduce the impact of marine litter but also generate valuable data to improve strategies for prevention and environmental awareness on the island.