Concerns Arise Over Conflicting Interests in Tenerife’s Underwater Gardens Project

A citizen platform has raised alarms about potential conflicts of interest surrounding the Underwater Gardens project proposed for Tenerife’s west coast. This initiative, which aims to blend tourism with scientific research, has sparked a heated debate among environmentalists, local organizations, and the scientific community.

Understanding the Underwater Gardens Initiative

The Underwater Gardens initiative is designed to create a unique tourist attraction specifically for scuba divers, providing them with an opportunity to explore and learn about the rich marine environment of the region. The project is set to occupy approximately 10.6 hectares of land, which includes areas designated as agricultural land that are protected for environmental reasons. Notably, the site is located within a whale sanctuary, an area that has previously remained untouched by tourist infrastructures, raising significant environmental concerns.

While the project is marketed as a tourist destination, it also claims to have scientific significance, with backing from the European organization Ocean Citizen. This dual approach raises questions about the true motivations behind the development, as it appears to intertwine scientific research with commercial interests, leading to skepticism among various stakeholders.

Allegations of Misappropriation and Conflict of Interest

Organizations such as ATAN (Asociación Tinerfeña de Amigos de la Naturaleza) and Save Punta Blanca have voiced their concerns regarding the project. They assert that the individual promoting the scientific aspect of the project through Ocean Citizen is also involved in the commercial exploitation of the Underwater Gardens theme park. This connection has led to serious accusations of misappropriation of resources and the use of the European initiative’s name to lend credibility to a large-scale tourism venture.

In a formal letter addressed to members of Ocean Citizen, these organizations expressed their apprehensions about the project violating key principles of the Horizon Europe program, particularly the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle. They highlighted the potential for speculative infrastructure development that could undermine environmental protections, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in such initiatives.

Scientific Integrity Under Scrutiny

Recently, Sergio Rossi, the coordinator of Ocean Citizen, has attempted to distance the scientific project from the tourism proposal. However, Save Punta Blanca insists that the public deserves clarity on the situation. They argue that the project, funded by the European Union, should not be used as a facade to support a profit-driven theme park. The intertwining of scientific research with commercial interests raises ethical questions that cannot be overlooked.

Rossi’s dual role as both the coordinator of a publicly funded research consortium and the scientific director of Underwater Gardens International S.L. raises significant ethical questions. Critics argue that this situation compromises the legitimacy and independence of the scientific project, suggesting a clear conflict of interest that could undermine public trust in both the scientific community and the project’s objectives.

Despite Ocean Citizen’s claims of not promoting land-based infrastructures, the reality is that the Underwater Gardens project is framed as a tourist attraction. The organizations contend that linking it to marine restoration efforts is misleading and serves to justify the destruction of Punta Blanca for commercial gain. This narrative has fueled concerns about the long-term environmental impact of the project.

Both ATAN and Save Punta Blanca assert that the strategy behind the project is to leverage the academic credibility of Ocean Citizen to market a private tourism initiative. They warn that this could lead to increased land consumption and the influx of thousands of tourists daily, undermining the environmental integrity of the area. The potential consequences of such a development could be detrimental not only to the local ecosystem but also to the community that relies on the natural beauty of the region for its livelihood.

Key points

• The Underwater Gardens project is proposed for Tenerife’s west coast within a whale sanctuary.
• It aims to create a tourist attraction for scuba divers while also claiming scientific significance.
• Concerns have been raised about a conflict of interest involving the project’s scientific promoter and the commercial venture.
• Organizations have accused the project of violating principles of the Horizon Europe program.
• Sergio Rossi, involved in both the scientific and commercial aspects, has faced criticism for potential ethical breaches.
• Critics argue that the project could lead to environmental degradation and increased tourism in a protected area.