The Cabildo de Tenerife, through its Environmental Agents, has issued 68 infringement notices and removed 750 kilos of waste from the Scientific Interest Site La Caleta with the aim of preserving biodiversity and ensuring the safety of people.
In addition, the Local Police of Adeje, Autonomous Police, and Civil Guard have carried out various joint operations during the current year in this natural area.
The Minister of Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, Blanca Pérez, highlights in a statement «the importance of keeping beaches and protected natural spaces free from unauthorized camping, thus promoting respect for the environment and responsible enjoyment of our natural resources.»
In this sense, Pérez emphasizes the cooperation and teamwork carried out by the Environmental Agents and the different State Security Forces involved in these operations.
For his part, the insular director of Natural Environment, Pedro Millán, explains that «thanks to the effective collaboration between the Local Police of Adeje, the Autonomous Police, the Civil Guard, and the Environmental Agents of the Cabildo, a special operation has been carried out for the removal of camps on Diego Hernández Beach, adjoining caves, and nearby areas within the protected natural space of La Caleta.»
These interventions, he continues, «aim to preserve the biodiversity of the protected natural area and ensure the safety of visitors and residents of the island.»
In that line, he advances that they will continue «conducting random checks in the area in coordination with all administrations, so that no camping occurs and, if necessary, sanctioning those who engage in it.»
ALMOST A THOUSAND REPORTS IN 2024
The Environmental Agents of the Cabildo de Tenerife issued 906 reports for environmental infractions in 2024, which represents a 37.8% increase compared to the previous year.
Of that total, 612 correspond to the competence of the Cabildo, while 294 were forwarded to the competent bodies for processing, such as the Canarian Agency for the Protection of the Natural Environment, the State Agency for Air Safety, and the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office.
Specifically, 114 infringement notices were issued related to protected natural areas such as unauthorized camping, unauthorized activity, or non-compliance with conditions, off-road driving, non-compliance with forest fire prevention measures, waste dumping, deposits, and abandonment of materials and waste.
The rest of the infractions are related to hunting activities, environmental protection, forest services, livestock paths and pastures, and activities in the Teide National Park.
The fines vary depending on the type of infraction committed.
Thus, the fine for making a fire in a protected natural area with serious risk to its integrity reaches 6,000 euros, while driving, stopping, or parking a vehicle (with or without a motor) off-road, in a protected natural area on a path or trail (due to potential danger to pedestrians) ranges from 1,500 to 6,000 euros.
Likewise, the penalty for organizing a for-profit activity without authorization is 600 euros, while camping in an exclusion zone or restricted use area is fined 400 euros.
On the other hand, burning agricultural waste without authorization can result in a fine of 700 to 1,000 euros (depending on the risk season, proximity to wooded areas, monitoring of the burning), while hunting during the closed season carries a fine of 1,000 euros.
