Seven holidaymakers fined for swimming with whales and dolphins
The Guardia Civil have filed complaints against seven holidaymakers caught swimming with whales and dolphins off the south coast of Tenerife, warning that such behaviour is a serious environmental offence.
The incident took place in mid-September, when a video began circulating on social media and messaging apps showing several people jumping into the sea to swim alongside the animals. The footage was verified by officers from the Fiscal and Border Patrol (PAFIF) in Playa de Las Américas, who were able to identify both the hired boat used by the group and the people involved.
According to the Guardia Civil, the tourists had rented a leisure boat and set out on a trip along the coast. After spotting a pod of cetaceans, they decided to jump into the water to swim among them. This is strictly prohibited under Spanish law (Royal Decree 1727/2007), which sets out measures to protect marine mammals.
The legislation bans swimming or diving in the exclusion zone around these marine mammals to prevent disturbance and reduce risks to their conservation. The seven people identified were a group of friends on holiday in Tenerife who claimed they were unaware of the law, but officers reminded them that ignorance is no excuse and that fines for serious cases can exceed €60,000.
The Guardia Civil stressed the importance of respecting wildlife protection rules and warned that irresponsible actions like this put not only the animals at risk but also the swimmers themselves.
Share:
