New campaign to raise awareness and protect rays and sharks in the Canary Islands
Nearly half of the 78 species of rays and sharks living in the Canary Islands are at risk of extinction, and scientists say we still don’t know enough about many of them. Now, a new conservation project is working to change that.
Researchers, environmental groups, and local authorities have come together to collect data, understand the threats, and raise awareness about these important marine animals.
From Tourist “Monster Hunts” to Conservation Action
Just two years ago, a company in Lanzarote was offering tourists the chance to catch protected sharks and rays as a “monster-hunting” adventure. For €150, people could fish for angel sharks, hammerheads, and rays, then post their catches on social media.
Thanks to complaints from environmental groups ADACIS and Latitud Azul, the company was taken to court. The owner was sentenced to 10 months in prison, and the case helped expose serious gaps in the protection of marine life in the Canary Islands.
This led to the creation of a new conservation project focused on rays and sharks, launched in February 2025. “We want to bring together scientists, divers, fishermen, tourism operators, and the public to create a plan that protects these species,” said Dr Alicia Herrera from Latitud Azul.
Threats to Local Species
Many of the rays and sharks in the Canary Islands are threatened by pollution, climate change, and human activity. Some, like the angel shark, are now mostly found only in Canarian waters. They are especially vulnerable because they reproduce slowly and in small numbers.
Other species, such as the blue shark, yellow stingray, and smooth-hound shark, are not protected at all in the Canaries, even though they are considered endangered by international standards.
Researchers also want to study how microplastics and dirty water might be affecting these species, since this hasn’t been looked at closely in the Canary Islands.
Public Workshops: Become a Guardian
To help people learn more, the team has launched a series of public workshops across the islands called “Guardians of Rays and Sharks.” The aim is to teach people about the animals, how to protect them, and how to report illegal fishing or harmful activities, as highlighted in the first one that took place on 25th July in Lanzarote.
Future workshops are scheduled as follows:
- Tenerife – 4th September
- La Gomera – 6th September
- Gran Canaria – 19th September
- La Palma – 3rd October
- Fuerteventura – 24th October
- El Hierro – 21st November
“If you know that some sharks only give birth once every three years, with just four or five babies, you start to realise how important it is to protect them,” said Dr Herrera.
Why It Matters
The Canary Islands are home to amazing marine life, but many species are at risk. The success of this project depends on everyone, not just scientists, but also locals and tourists, getting involved and learning how to protect the ocean.
“The more we understand and love what we have,” said Herrera, “the more we’ll want to protect it.”
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