ECOAQUA participates in the study of a possible extension of the marine protected areas of the eastern islands

ECOAQUA participates in the study of a possible extension of the marine protected areas of the eastern islands

The Fishermen's Association of Gran Tarajal hosts the presentation of the AMPLÍA Project of the Biodiversity and Conservation group of the ECOAQUA Institute of the ULPGC, which will carry out a diagnosis of the state of the marine biological resources of the Eastern Canary Islands

The Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve informs that the Fishermen's Association of Gran Tarajal will host the presentation of the AMPLÍA Project on 18th June at 18:30 hours. This initiative aims to diagnose the state of the marine biological resources of the Eastern Canary Islands in order to assess a possible future expansion of the marine area of their Biosphere Reserves. The talk will be given by Professor José Juan Castro Hernández, from the Biodiversity and Conservation group (BIOCON) of the ECOAQUA University Institute of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC).

Jose-Juan-Castro_BIOCONJosé Juan Castro Hernánez, from the BIOCON group of the ECOAQUA Institute of the ULPGC.

The aim of the AMPLIA project is to assess the advisability of extending and/or rezoning the marine areas included in the Biosphere Reserves of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote in order to provide scientific information to support the subsequent development of public policies for the conservation of biodiversity as a whole, particularly vulnerable species and ecosystems.

As the president of the Fuerteventura Island Council, Lola García, explains, "Fuerteventura is a true sanctuary of marine flora and fauna species, of great beauty and biodiversity. In this sense, we are convinced that this project, backed by the ULPGC and ECOAGUA, will serve to strengthen our commitment to protection.

Furthermore, "we are confident that this study will further reinforce Fuerteventura's position to defend such important resources as traditional fishing grounds and to prevent the uncontrolled implementation of offshore wind farms in these areas that we must protect, as we have been demanding together with the fishing sector".

The councillor of the Biosphere Reserve, Marlene Figueroa, and the Manager, Toni Gallardo, point out that estrada is a good opportunity for everyone to participate in the management of these spaces and to reach a consensus from the beginning on the different interests, points of view and strategies of how our sea should be managed and conserved.

The project is scientifically backed by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), through the BIOCON group of the ECOAQUA University Institute of Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems, in collaboration with the Biosphere Reserves of the three eastern islands of the archipelago.