The aquaculture project, located within the Biosphere Reserve and under processing since 2018, is at a stage where the Ministry has requested a new ordinary environmental impact assessment, after a simplified one was initially conducted. The private initiative, promoted by Gran Canaria Bass Company, plans to install 24 floating nurseries to produce 5,400 tons of sea bass annually, with an initial budget of 6.8 million euros, 90% financed from the United Arab Emirates.
The decision by the Fisheries Department to continue with the file has raised concerns, particularly regarding the impact on an area of high environmental value. The chosen zone, between the points of Góngora and La Aldea, is located within the transition area of the Gran Canaria Biosphere Reserve, where economic activity is subject to the conservation of its values.
The mayor of La Aldea, along with representatives from Artenara and Gáldar, met with the Fisheries counselor, Narvay Quintero, and departmental technicians to discuss the situation. It was recalled that the file began processing in 2018 and that the detailed zoning of the area was approved in 2023, ensuring legal certainty. The upcoming public exhibition of the new environmental declaration is expected to address technical doubts.
Both the La Aldea City Council and the Cabildo of Gran Canaria have expressed their unanimous rejection of the project. Opposing groups point out that the cages will be placed very close to protected marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network and have documented the presence of the angel shark, a critically endangered shark species.
