The Telde coast saw a massive demonstration this Sunday between the Melenara pier and Salinetas beach to demand immediate action in response to the marine pollution incident that has been ongoing for weeks. The march, organized by neighborhood associations and environmental groups, focused on the source of the spill and the need for swift and coordinated responses from the authorities.
Public discontent is growing in tandem with beach closures, oily residue on the surface, and health warnings . Along the southeastern coast of Gran Canaria, residents and community groups are demanding oversight, accountability, and a cleanup of the coastline, pointing to the aquaculture cages off Telde as the main source of the problem.
The march between Melenara and Salinetas
Hundreds of people marched along the promenade between Melenara and Salinetas with banners and slogans demanding a clean coastline and urgent action. The demonstration concluded with the reading of a manifesto and the placement of crosses in the sand, a symbolic gesture by which participants denounced the degradation of the coastal ecosystem and the social and economic impact of the crisis.
Residents' associations from Melenara, Salinetas, Clavellinas, Playa del Hombre, Taliarte, Tufia, La Garita, and Ojos de Garza participated, along with environmental organizations such as Turcón, Barrios Verdes, the Canary Islands Association for Biodiversity , and Latitud Azul. Among the public officials present were the mayor of Telde, Juan Antonio Peña, the councilor for beaches, MarÃa CalderÃn, representatives from Mogán, and the Canary Islands representative Carmen Hernández , as well as councilors from various political groups.
The manifesto, read by Melenara resident Sara Velázquez, demanded the removal of the fish cages near the coast and a transparent review of the environmental impact assessments. It also called for the creation of a crisis management team with citizen participation and for prioritizing the health of the sea over private economic interests.
The platforms also proposed a package of immediate actions: installation of containment barriers, skimmers and absorbent sausages , removal of waste present in the water, audit of aquaculture authorizations and suspension of new concessions or extensions until the episode is clarified.
Residents and beachgoers described episodes of foul odors , oily film on the water, animal feed debris on the shore, and health problems consistent with irritations or ear infections. Although the precise causes are under investigation, residents' accounts emphasize the need for preventative measures to address the risks to beachgoers, the hospitality industry, and tourism.
State of the beaches and territorial scope
In the municipality of Mogán, the beaches of Mogán, Puerto Rico, Patalavaca, El Perchel, and Anfi have reopened for swimming under precautionary measures and with yellow flags flying. The local council warns that any sign of contamination will lead to immediate closures until safety is guaranteed.
Areas such as Las Marañuelas, Costa Alegre, Taurito, Tauro, and El Cura remain closed , where a daily surveillance and cleanup operation is underway to remove any remaining traces of the spill. Local authorities emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring and containment efforts.
Beyond Telde and Mogán, coastal areas in Agüimes, Santa LucÃa de Tirajana, and San Bartolomé de Tirajana have also been affected , with active water quality monitoring systems in place. The crisis impacted more than a dozen bathing areas, some of which have reopened with caution.
The municipalities involved update the status of the beaches frequently and coordinate communication with Public Health to issue recommendations and protocols for the use of the coastline based on the analyses.
Origin of the episode and evidence provided
Neighborhood associations and environmental organizations point to the marine nurseries located off the coast of Telde, near El Goro, as the source of the pollution. Complaints accompanied by aerial photographs from November 5th and 10th show a plume of waste moving with the wind, with greasy layers and floating debris that appear to have severely affected Melenara and Salinetas.
Environmentalists point to a combination of factors within the cages: high fish density (around 40.000 per cage ), uneaten feed, low oxygen levels, calm seas, and warming water, circumstances that would have favored significant mortality and the washing of organic matter to the coast.
The Environmental Prosecutor's Office is continuing its investigation while awaiting analytical results and technical reports. Meanwhile, local and regional authorities confirm that monitoring and cleanup efforts are ongoing, with almost daily public updates on the situation.
Demands and institutional response
New Canaries – Canarian Bloc (NC-BC) announced its participation in the march and criticized what it considers a lack of initiative in the municipal response during the first weeks following the incident. The party is demanding greater pressure on the company and more decisive measures at the source of the spill.
The mayor of Telde, Juan Antonio Peña, demanded full transparency and the publication of all existing reports on the case. He also assured that the City Council will take the necessary actions to defend citizens' rights and, if warranted, review concessions related to aquaculture in the area.
Citizen and environmental groups are insisting on declaring a state of emergency to expedite the cleanup, strengthen containment measures, and review applicable regulations. These groups are encouraging continued public pressure through banners and informational actions in coastal neighborhoods until verifiable solutions are achieved.
Sustained mobilization and symbolic actions
In Salinetas, a resident drew the words STOP and SOS on the sand, a gesture that has become a symbol of discontent over pollution that the public perceives as serious and prolonged . The visual intervention caught the attention of passersby and visitors.
Associations such as Punto y Seguido (La Garita) and AV Meclasa (Melenara, Clavellinas, and Salinetas) publicly joined the protest, calling for broad and inclusive participation. They are demanding urgent measures to guarantee safe and sustainable beaches , as well as a framework for institutional dialogue to expedite decisions and resources for coastal recovery.
This weekend's mobilization culminates weeks of complaints, videos, images, and written statements from residents. Citizens are demanding immediate action to contain the waste, ensure cleanliness, strengthen controls, and conduct a comprehensive review of aquaculture permits near the Telde coast.
