Tenerife Council Cancels 'Underwater Gardens' Project to Protect Marine Reserve

The Tenerife Island Council has officially cancelled the "island interest" status of the 'Underwater Gardens' project, marking a major shift in the protection of the archipelago’s marine ecosystems. The council confirmed the revocation, which is set to be formally ratified during this Friday’s plenary session.

Led by President Rosa Dávila, this decision ends a project that had been in the administrative pipeline since 2002. The primary reason for the cancellation is the project’s proposed location at Punta Blanca, which sits within the Teno-Rasca Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Because this area is protected under the European Union’s Natura 2000 network, any human activity that could threaten marine habitats or biodiversity is strictly restricted.

The current administration argues that the project is incompatible with its commitment to preserving natural heritage. Officials maintain that the ecological value of this coastline is too significant to risk through artificial modification or development.

This move concludes over two decades of bureaucratic uncertainty and highlights the ongoing tension between tourism development and environmental conservation. By withdrawing support for the 'Underwater Gardens,' the council has set a new precedent, signaling that the protection of sensitive marine environments will now take priority over projects that alter the natural landscape.