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THE INDEPENDENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER WITH LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL NEWS
EDITION 581
FRIDAY 4th AUGUST TO THURSDAY 17th AUGUST 2017 TV GUIDE
PAGES 25 -32
MOVIES AT ...
FORTNIGHTLY SUPPLEMENT F
property p
PAGES 49 -56
guide
“ALERT BUT NOT ALARM” OVER MICROALGAE IN CANARIES BEACH WARNINGS
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EALTH chiefs have urged people in the Canary Islands to be “on the alert but not alarmed” following the appearance of microalgae in the sea and on the beaches in recent weeks.
Police probe “barbaric” spiral carved at Teide
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OLICE have been called in following the discovery of a stone circle in the protected area of Mount Teide.
If caught, those responsible could face a hefty fine of between 6,000 and 600,000 euros for damaging the landscape.
The spiral was found in the Llano de Ucanca district by a group of mountaineers. Tenerife Cabildo has since sent a detailed report to the
nature protection arm of the Civil Guard, known as Seprona. Whoever created the stone circle has breached both the Canary laws which protect the natural areas and the masterplan of Teide National Park. This rules that it is illegal to carve out signs or drawings on the ground or in stones, rocks, vegetation or buildings belonging to the Park. The Cabildo has expressed its condemnation towards this type of act “against one of our main environmental patrimonies and one of the main tourist referents of the island”. The vandalism was also spotted by Rutas of Tenerife
which organises guided treks across the island and has horrified all environmentalists. Posting a picture on its Facebook site, Rutas de Tenerife described the act as “barbaric”. The only clue at the moment is that the spiral may be linked to some sort of spiritual group.
They have stressed that the natural phenomenon is not harmful and is not pollution or human feces as some holidaymakers have feared. Nevertheless, where anyone does spot the microalgae, usually in the form of slicks which might look oily or smells unpleasant, they should refrain from bathing until the stains disappear. Likewise, contact should be avoided if the substance is found on the sand and organisers of any beach event are being alerted to the need to possibly change their plans. The very hot weather being experienced in the Canaries is thought to be responsible though environmental changes might also play their part. Experts describe the microalgae as essential to the evolution of the planet. Various municipalities have been putting out alerts following the initial warning from the Government of the Canary Islands through its public health department. Most microalgae are harmless but some can produce toxins with different health effects, either by contact, by the ingestion of the water containing them or by the inhalation of the fumes caused by the waves. There have been no reports of any serious incidents. The signs include an abnormal colour of the water, with varying intensity and colour spots, and loss of
transparency and formation of more or less viscous or oily appearance foams. The Canary Government has advised all municipalities to pùt up warning signs if these blooms are detected, alert the authorities and beach controls so they can advise sunbathers. The microalgae have been spotted in recent weeks on the coasts of all the islands in a situation described at one stage as “a massive proliferation.” It is not the first time this has happened on the Canarian beaches. Lanzarote was badly affected six years ago. At the end of July, the most affected coasts were those of the western islands. Its presence has been detected on beaches in Tenerife, both in the south, in the northeast, in Teresitas, in La Gomera, especially in Valle Gran Rey, and on the beaches of Fuencaliente, in La Palma. Gran Canaria has “suffered” the arrival of these small organisms this summer, specifically to the area of Mogán. It is not known at the time of going to press whether all presence of the microalgae has gone or whether they might return. The Canary Government says it is up to the local municipalities themselves to decide if a beach should be closed.