Canary Islands Government Allocates €1.4 Million for Beach Safety Services

The Canary Islands Government has recently approved a significant budget modification, earmarking €1.4 million for the enhancement of beach monitoring services across 20 municipalities. This initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and tourists who frequent the region’s popular bathing areas.

Funding for Safety Initiatives

On December 23, the Government Council of the Canary Islands sanctioned this budget adjustment, which is specifically aimed at bolstering safety measures in coastal areas. The funding is particularly targeted at municipalities with populations of less than 20,000 residents, recognizing the unique challenges faced by smaller communities in maintaining safety standards at their beaches.

This financial support is crucial for these municipalities, as it allows them to implement necessary safety protocols and services that can significantly reduce the risks associated with beach activities. The allocation of funds will enable local governments to hire additional lifeguards, improve signage, and enhance overall beach infrastructure, thereby promoting a safer environment for all beachgoers.

List of Beneficiary Municipalities

The municipalities that will benefit from this funding include:

• Agaete and Moya in Gran Canaria;
• El Rosario, San Juan de la Rambla, Los Silos, Garachico, and Buenavista in Tenerife;
• San Andrés, Breña Baja, Tazacorte, Breña Alta, Barlovento, and Puntallana in La Palma;
• San Sebastián, Valle Gran Rey, and Alajeró in La Gomera;
• Valverde and El Pinar in El Hierro;
• Yaiza and San Bartolomé in Lanzarote.

This diverse list of beneficiary municipalities showcases the government’s commitment to enhancing beach safety across the entire archipelago, ensuring that even the smallest communities receive the necessary resources to protect their residents and visitors.

Government’s Ongoing Commitment

Manuel Miranda, the Councillor for Territorial Policy, Cohesion, and Water, emphasized that this funding initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance safety in coastal areas. Since late 2023, the department has been actively collaborating with the Canary Federation of Municipalities (Fecam) to draft a new legal framework aimed at replacing the previous safety regulations established in 2018, which were annulled by the courts.

This new framework is anticipated to provide a more robust and effective set of guidelines for beach safety, ensuring that all municipalities adhere to standardized safety protocols. The government’s proactive approach reflects its dedication to safeguarding the well-being of beachgoers and addressing the evolving challenges posed by increased tourism and environmental factors.

Future Directions for Coastal Safety

The collaboration with Fecam is a pivotal step towards establishing a comprehensive legal framework that guarantees standardized safety conditions in the bathing areas of the Canary Islands. This initiative is expected to not only provide legal certainty but also enhance the overall safety measures implemented across the archipelago’s beaches.

In addition to working with Fecam, discussions are underway with various lifeguard organizations, the Canarias 1,500 Kilometres of Coast Association, and other stakeholders involved in coastal safety. These discussions aim to gather insights and recommendations that will be integrated into the upcoming Law on the Canary Civil Protection System. This law has already undergone an initial dialogue phase, which included contributions from over 200 experts and professionals in the field of coastal safety.

The outcomes of these negotiations are anticipated to play a crucial role in shaping the future of beach safety in the Canary Islands. By engaging multiple stakeholders, the government aims to create a well-rounded and effective safety framework that addresses the specific needs and challenges of each municipality.

Key points

• The Canary Islands Government has allocated €1.4 million for beach safety services.
• This funding is directed towards municipalities with populations under 20,000.
• Beneficiary municipalities span across Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and Lanzarote.
• The initiative is part of a broader commitment to improve safety regulations in bathing areas.
• Collaboration with Fecam aims to create a new legal framework for coastal safety.
• Future discussions will involve various stakeholders, including lifeguard groups and coastal safety associations.