The march, called by the Platform in Defense of Los Cristianos, started from the cultural center and proceeded through the streets to La Pescadora square. There, a manifesto was read in defense of the bay and the protection of this area of the Arona coastline.
The statement warned of "outrages and abuses against the environment," the need to reduce port pressure, and to defend the city's "beach identity." It recalled the demand for respect towards the State made by the Canarian president, Fernando Clavijo, on Canarian Day.
“"It sounds good when you demand it from others, but it's so difficult to put into practice with citizens."
Jorge Bello, president of the platform, described the turnout as a "success due to the people's support" and stated that "now it's time to continue." Representatives from all municipal groups of the Arona City Council attended the demonstration.
Protesters expressed their rejection of the plans by the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which include the construction of a three-story "macroparking" and the relocation of the passenger terminal. The platform considers these projections a "monstrosity" and an "aberration."
The initiative by two private companies to extend the old pier with a floating dock for tourist boats "right next to the beach" also causes concern, described as "madness" by the platform.
To alleviate pressure and mobility issues in Los Cristianos, the platform proposes staggering the operating hours of shipping companies and diverting cargo to Santa Cruz or Granadilla, measures that they assert do not require significant investment.
“"Directly transferring goods from Santa Cruz to La Gomera, La Palma, and El Hierro is much cheaper than doing it, as is currently done, by truck to Los Cristianos and then by boat. Consumers on those islands will pay less, traffic on the TF-1 will be reduced, less CO2 will be emitted into the atmosphere, and the maritime routes will not affect cetaceans because they would navigate outside the Special Conservation Area."
The platform, established just over a year ago, calls for a "sensible" reorganization and demands that their opinions be considered. They warn of the "progressive deterioration" of the bay, which lost its Blue Flag this year, and do not rule out the area being declared unfit for swimming.
