The Canary Islands Government has officially launched a new, comprehensive program dedicated to tracking marine litter across the archipelago. The primary objective of this pioneering initiative is to significantly improve the protection of its coastline and vulnerable marine ecosystems. Led by the Department of Ecological Transition and Energy, this effort forms a core component of the broader European CIRCULAROCEAN project. By replacing historically fragmented information with a standardized, EU-aligned data collection system, the region aims to combat ocean pollution more effectively and implement evidence-based environmental strategies.
Monitoring Scope: Seasonal Sampling Across 30 Beaches
The program is scheduled to get underway at the end of this month and will cast a wide net across the entire archipelago. According to the official announcement, the monitoring scheme will cover a total of 30 selected beaches across all the islands, specifically including the small islet of Alegranza, located near Lanzarote.
The data collection process is designed to be ongoing rather than a one-time event. Sampling will take place seasonally throughout the entire year. This structured timeline is crucial, as it allows scientific experts to accurately track how waste builds up and how pollution levels change over time.
During each specific survey, the research teams will collect highly detailed, quantifiable data regarding the amount, the type, and the suspected origin of the litter found along the coast. This gathered information will be instrumental in identifying waste accumulation patterns, ultimately improving the planning and execution of measures designed to reduce the devastating impact of rubbish on beaches and local marine life.
The Shift to Standardised Data: A First for the Region
A key feature and major technological breakthrough of this program is the introduction of a standardized data system that is fully aligned with European Union guidelines.
Mariano Hernández Zapata, the regional minister, described the program as a key step in tackling the growing challenge of ocean pollution. He stressed that having reliable and comparable data is absolutely essential for protecting marine environments and moving towards a more sustainable model of waste management. Until now, information regarding marine litter in the Canary Islands has been highly fragmented, which made accurate historical and regional comparisons incredibly difficult. Officials state that this new, unified approach will significantly improve both the quality and the practical usefulness of the data collected.
Scientific Backing and Technical Support
To guarantee the scientific integrity and accuracy of the program, the project is being delivered with specialized technical support from established organizations. Both CETECIMA and SEO BirdLife are actively participating in the initiative. These organizations bring essential scientific expertise to the table, ensuring that the coastal monitoring and data collection processes meet strict, internationally recognized research standards.
International Cooperation: The CIRCULAROCEAN Network
The initiative led by the Department of Ecological Transition and Energy operates under the umbrella of the CIRCULAROCEAN project. This project is a vital part of the INTERREG MAC 2021–2027 programme and is co-funded by European Union regional development funds.
The scope of this project extends far beyond the Canary Islands, demonstrating a true international scale. It brings together a total of 15 different organisations from various Macaronesian regions, such as the Azores and Madeira, as well as spanning across borders to include African nations such as Cape Verde, Ghana, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
The long-term aim of this extensive partnership is to actively promote a circular economy model within marine environments. By strengthening international cooperation and sharing vital research tools, these nations are working together to tackle plastic pollution and other forms of waste across the Atlantic Ocean. With the launch of this initiative, the Canary Islands are positioning themselves at the absolute forefront of global efforts to combat ocean pollution.
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Original Article: Canarian Weekly – Canary Islands launch pioneering program to tackle the impact of waste on marine life (April 16, 2026)
