Month: August 2023

Port of Tazacorte, November 6, 2023 – The DELTA project arrives on the island of La Palma under the guidance of the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) as one of the responses to the challenges facing the island in managing the volcano-affected coastal areas sustainably. Thanks to observation campaigns of the marine ecosystem in the lava deltas formed after the volcanic eruption in 2021, DELTA will provide multidisciplinary data directly applicable to the blue economy, the promotion of blue employment, and biodiversity preservation.

The initiative, funded by the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Energy of the Government of the Canary Islands and the State Secretary for the Environment, not only promises scientific advancements but also tangible social and economic benefits. From strengthening local research to job creation and the promotion of sustainable tourism, DELTA represents an ambitious commitment by PLOCAN to the comprehensive recovery of the island, where a permanent working team has already been established. This long-term investment would not be possible without the involvement of the Cabildo of La Palma and the municipalities of Tazacorte and Fuencaliente, among other local bodies.

According to Joaquín Hernández, director of PLOCAN, “DELTA is not just a scientific project; it is a commitment to the restoration and conservation of the marine environment and, consequently, all of La Palma.” Essentially, it aims to establish a new model of interaction with the environment, “based on knowledge, technology, and intelligent sustainable management.” In this regard, the actions of the DELTA initiative will have a real impact on the development of the blue economy on the island, “always seeking to benefit the people of La Palma through education, the creation of new jobs, and the promotion of scientific tourism.”

Observation campaigns have already been conducted in the proposed monitoring area of the project, which essentially covers the lava deltas, as well as awareness campaigns in schools on the island, among other initiatives. As part of the observation activities, a filming campaign has also been carried out with the prestigious videographer Rafa Herrero Massieu, director of the Aquawork production company and a regular collaborator with international channels such as National Geographic, Canal Plus France, Canal Explora Canada, ORF, BBC, among others.

In conclusion, the project not only promises environmental changes but also aspires to be a catalyst for economic and social solutions, offering a hopeful vision for La Palma. “We not only want to understand the marine ecosystem but also promote the blue economy and create sustainable employment in La Palma, turning scientific observation into an engine for the recovery of the island,” highlighted Mariona Casamayor, coordinator of the DELTA project.

In this intersection of science, technology, and the blue economy, PLOCAN seeks to promote research and development in marine sciences and maritime technologies on the island with the active participation of the local population. However, in the words of the CEO of PLOCAN, “this program goes beyond scientific observation, as it represents a model of interdisciplinary collaboration, with the active involvement of the local community and the quadruple helix of key actors: government, academia, industry, and civil society.”

Specifically, in the area located in the marine strip of Fuencaliente, a comprehensive observation program will be promoted, combining innovative technologies such as state-of-the-art sensors and autonomous systems (such as unmanned autonomous underwater vehicles used for monitoring the seabed) with traditional methods,” added the project coordinator. Currently, in the proposed monitoring area within the DELTA framework, PLOCAN has granted access for scientific research.

PLOCAN drives decarbonization of Canary ports from La Palma

The coast of Tazacorte will serve as a pilot test for what could be the beginning of the path towards carbon neutrality in Canary ports, thanks to the use of renewable energy sources through various actions promoted by PLOCAN. “The Port of Tazacorte will be the first in the Canary Islands to embark on the path to decarbonization through the use of energy from renewable sources such as floating photovoltaic solar panels,” explained Joaquín Hernández, director of PLOCAN.

Thanks to these initiatives, PLOCAN has not only expanded its scope of action to non-capital islands such as La Palma and Fuerteventura but has firmly set out to promote the socio-economic development of the archipelago through the promotion of the blue economy, thanks to scientific and technological projects related to the ocean.

In this sense, the island delegation of PLOCAN in La Palma is a focal point where research teams converge, “promoting the development of advanced technologies for oceanographic studies, with the aim of generating data and services that have a socio-economic impact,” concluded Hernández.”