Envision a system that facilitates the notification of faecal discharges along the coast of an Island as affected by this issue as Tenerife – there are instances such as El Médano and, more recently, Garden Beach in Puerto de la Cruz. Alternatively, consider a network of antennas that span the entire coastline, monitoring the marine currents to enhance safety in the aquatic environment. These are merely two illustrations that delighted and astonished the delegation from the Tenerife Council, led by its president, Rosa Dávila – marking the first occasion that an individual in such a position has done so in nearly 112 years of the institution’s history – during their visit to the headquarters of the Canary Islands Oceanographic Centre, an entity of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), part of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), situated in Santa Cruz Fishing Dock. There, they gathered information on five projects intricately linked to the island’s geography and explored potential avenues for collaboration with the state scientific entity.
Island Interests
The island president expressed her enthusiasm for these initiatives during a meeting at the facilities, accompanied by the Minister of the Natural Environment, Blanca Pérez, and the Minister of Innovation, Juan José Martínez. On the host side, others present included the director and manager of the Canary Islands Oceanographic Centre, Jesús Arrieta and Sebastián Jiménez, respectively, along with the representative in the Archipelago from the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Manuel Nogales.
Key Information
The visit enabled the gathering of insights on projects aimed at marine conservation and enhancing coastal security, identified as primary objectives of the activities conducted at the IEO. Additionally, the initiative centred around the Tenerife stone library serves to recover and connect the island’s valuable lithic heritage with volcanology and emergency responses in the event of potential eruptions. Future potential also lies in cultivating sebadales to repopulate seagrass ecosystems within aquaculture facilities, spotlighting amberjacks and octopuses as flagship products, as well as the preservation of biological samples that continue to deliver invaluable insights from this genuine marine laboratory.
Faecal Discharges
Efforts at the Oceanographic Centre are focusing on developing a warning system for faecal discharges entering marine waters. The aim is to implement coastal monitoring with recreational functions, providing real-time protection for bathers against sewage influx, a regrettably frequent issue in Tenerife. This could be pivotal in the journey towards zero discharge. The island president underlines a project designed to establish early warnings for locations where individuals congregate, securing data on marine chemistry in coastal zones related to specific outfalls. The objective is to create an early warning system, which would entail three buoys continuously gathering samples to assess water turbidity.
The Lithotheque
At the IEO, they are also developing a lithotheque to ensure a swift response to volcanic emergencies; for instance, to identify the type of volcanism occurring at a specific moment and contrast it with historical data for a more effective reaction. Through this initiative, Tenerife is poised to become the central hub for the lithotheque across the Canary Islands, a crucial element in comprehending real-time volcanic evolution. Researchers noted that they possess a unique microscope that aids in understanding and mitigating volcanic risks, focusing on the volcanism of Macaronesia and the Canary Islands, particularly with regard to monitoring Tenerife.
Biological Samples
A project aimed at maintaining the essential collection of biological samples held at the centre was also put forward to the island president, with the director, Jesús Arrieta, noting, “we require some collaboration.” In this context, he hinted at potential interest in this collection related to the Museum of Nature and Archeology (MUNA), which is affiliated with the Cabildo. Arrieta anticipates “a very favourable interaction” in this area.
Sebadales
Focusing on aquaculture, the researchers outlined a plan to reproduce or cultivate seba in captivity, an emblematic species of the islands. This would facilitate future repopulation without the need to transfer sebadales from one location to another, allowing for production within a closed system akin to that of the Institute before introducing it to the environment. The nursery has operated as a cultivation facility for 40 years, and now they propose, alongside general renovations, thematic expansions into all marine science research, including experimental studies for the conservation of sebadales, a hatchery for fish, and nurseries for species vital to biodiversity and fish production. They have not overlooked the traditional aquaculture of amberjacks and, notably, octopuses, which they observed in their natural habitat at the Dársena facility during their visit yesterday morning.
Radars
Interest and special attention arose from the in-depth presentation by researcher Eugenio Fraile regarding the Corrientes Radar Alta Frecuencia Tenerife (Craft) project, making the Island the first globally to develop such a network. This comprises eleven radar antennas strategically positioned at various lighthouses, with two situated in the Anaga region. Tenerife stands to be the first in the world to achieve comprehensive real-time coverage from a marine radar for addressing potential emergencies along its coastline. On the other hand, from the perspective of the Cabildo, there were remarks such as “we can upload the radar image to the Cecopin (insular emergency coordination centre).” The complete installation is envisaged over four years at a cost of €300,000 per antenna. Certainly, “with two in the medium term, we could begin establishing this system,” highlights island councillor Blanca Pérez, adding, “this would be ideal in flood-prone areas.”
The President’s Perspective
Rosa Dávila regards the Canary Islands Oceanographic Centre as “one of the leading global entities in scientific research concerning our oceans and seas.” She notes, “we were very keen to learn about specific projects and wish to see them progress.” She emphasises their potential focus on ocean prevention and conservation as well as the establishment of radars that supply reliable data concerning potential spillage incidents. Dávila stresses, “considerable vessels traverse our waters, and we are situated within a specially protected marine conservation area; thus, we must be vigilant regarding potential pollution.”
In conclusion, she reflects, “the Cabildo of Tenerife is committed to participating in the restoration of the marine ecosystem, the safeguarding of the seas, and understanding marine dynamics, as climate change necessitates greater caution in areas susceptible to flooding.” Dávila summarises, “The extensive knowledge held by the Canary Islands Oceanographic Centre, gleaned over a century of experience, will be instrumental in protection, supported by projects that will be implemented in real-time.”
The Director’s Remarks
Jesús Arrieta expresses gratitude to the island president for her evident interest in projects “where we can cultivate synergy with the Cabildo.” Appointed at the close of last year, Arrieta recalls the challenge of “advancing full integration into the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), with some matters still pending.” Another objective is “as we did today (yesterday), to raise awareness among the Canarian community, to build connections with their institutions because my impression is that they continue to view us as an external State institution, whereas the reality is that we have been present for nearly 100 years.”
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