Arico’s involvement in the Ecoáreas Mardetodo project seeks to transform the use and management of the coastal space through citizen participation. The project is considered innovative within the framework of the blue economy, which aims to utilize marine resources to drive economic activity.
The presentation of Ecoáreas Mardetodo took place at La Compañía Youth House in Porís de Abona. The project aims to orient the management of coastal spaces towards a model that encourages sustainable and responsible practices, as well as horizontal management that involves citizen participation in the decision-making process. The project emphasizes the importance of “adopting a bottom-up model, from society to the different local bodies and administrations for its success.”
The presentation of the initiative was chaired by Olivia Delgado, the Mayor of Arico, along with the Deputy Mayor, Ariam Álvarez; the Beaches Councillor, Laura Morales; the Local Development Councillor, Eudelia Pestano; the Environment Councillor, Miguel Beby, and the project’s responsible technicians.
Ecoáreas has the support of the Arico City Council, is driven and financed by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of the Government of the Canary Islands, with the co-financing of the Avanza Plan from the European Union’s Feder funds. It is based on three pillars: voluntary agreements, participation, and horizontal management.
Olivia Delgado stated that “this project reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability, addressing the management of our coastal spaces from the perspective of the blue economy.” The Mayor outlined that the municipal government’s goal is “to transform these spaces on the Arico coast into areas that not only respect the environment but also promote sustainable and responsible practices among our citizens and visitors.” She thanked all those involved for their effort and dedication to making this project a reality.
Eudelia Pestano, the Local Development Councillor, emphasized that “the implementation of the project is a step towards consolidating a greener and more sustainable local economy.” She argued that from her department’s perspective, “we see this initiative as a unique opportunity to promote economic growth responsibly, by encouraging practices that respect and protect our natural environment.”
Laura Morales, the Beaches Councillor, stressed that the launch of Ecoáreas Mardetodo “marks a turning point in how we manage and value our coastal spaces.” She highlighted that “through the adoption of a horizontal management model, we aim to actively involve citizens in preserving and improving these vital environments. The initiative not only seeks to protect our natural resources but also promote a collective awareness of the importance of sustainability.”
