San Andrés Residents Campaign to Save Historic Fishermen’s Guild from Demolition
The "El Pescador" neighborhood association in Santa Cruz is campaigning to halt the demolition of the old fishermen’s guild in San Andrés, proposing instead to repurpose the site as a maritime history center and revitalize the local coastline.
A conflict has emerged in the San Andrés neighborhood of Santa Cruz over the future of the old fishermen’s guild. As reported by Diario de Avisos, the local "El Pescador" neighborhood association is campaigning to save the building from demolition, hoping to transform the dilapidated structure into a center for local maritime history.
The dispute began after an official notice on July 8, 2025, confirmed the guild’s closure due to financial struggles and a lack of staff. The national Directorate General for the Coast now plans to demolish the building, prompting the neighborhood association to launch a petition throughout June. Their goal is to halt the demolition and urge authorities to secure the site to prevent further damage or illegal occupation.
This situation highlights the complicated nature of coastal management in the Canary Islands. After meeting with Antonio Acosta, the regional Director General for the Coast, neighborhood leader Marcos Cova acknowledged that because the state owns the building, the regional government has limited power to intervene. However, the meeting did open a broader discussion about revitalizing the local coastline.
The association has proposed several projects to improve the area, including adding wooden platforms and basic facilities to Hoya Fría beach, as well as renovating the San Andrés pier. Their plans for the pier include creating sunbathing areas and improving sea access to help revitalize the Maritime Avenue. According to Cova, the Directorate General for the Coast is open to presenting these ideas to the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council to develop a joint strategy that would better integrate these coastal spaces into the community.