Tenerife Residents Protest Demolition of Historic San Andrés Fishermen’s Guild
The Spanish government has launched a tender to demolish the former San Andrés fishermen’s guild headquarters in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, sparking backlash from local residents who campaigned to preserve the site as a cultural landmark.
The demolition of the former San Andrés fishermen’s guild headquarters in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is nearing its end. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition has officially opened a tender, worth 42,439 euros, to tear down the building near Las Teresitas beach.
This decision follows the formal dissolution of the fishing guild on July 8, 2025. The government shut down the organization due to its financial struggles, citing significant debts and a staff of fewer than eight people.
The move has sparked frustration among local residents. The neighborhood association "El Pescador" has spent months campaigning to save the building, arguing that the government has refused to engage with them. Spokesperson Marcos Cova says the group submitted a proposal—backed by over a thousand signatures—to turn the site into a center celebrating the area's fishing heritage, but they have received no response.
The demolition plan is now open for public review. For the next twenty business days following its publication in the Official Gazette of the Province (BOP), interested parties can submit formal objections to the Provincial Coastal Service or the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council. Technical documents are also available on the Ministry’s website.
This situation reflects a growing conflict between state efforts to clear coastal land and the community's desire to protect local history. While the government views the demolition as a necessary step for land management, residents fear the loss of a cultural landmark. With the building’s future uncertain, the community remains concerned about how the land will be used once the site is cleared.