‘Huge amounts’ of microalgae will arrive on the Canary coastline this week

The Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy, Mariano Hernández Zapata, said earlier today (Monday) that “huge amounts” of microalgae could reach the Canary coasts over the next few days. In an interview on Radio Canaria, he said that Grafcan, who are monitoring the waters around the Canary Islands, forecast “masses” of microalgae between next Wednesday and Friday.

He has also explained that the Department of Ecological Transition has arranged for several boats to try and ‘inhale’ or collect the microalgae on some of the affected beaches on these days, although he admitted that “it won’t be as effective as we would like."

He recalled that a similar thing happened in 2017 around the Canary Islands and deduced: "It is evident that we have a serious problem that affects us now and will continue to affect future generations if we do not stop it".

Zapata referred to the scientific literature that relates these episodes to climate change and the progressive warming of the sea, which, in addition to microalgae, is leaving exotic species such as fireworms or puffer fish in Canarian waters.

The Minister said that "We have fewer and fewer climate change deniers than ever before, and now is the time we must take action. The first step that must be taken is the energy transition and the decarbonization of the islands; and then, a responsible management of waste”.

"The fight against climate change is non-negotiable for this Government of the Canary Islands, and this involves a commitment to clean and renewable energy”.