British Tourists in Canary Islands Face Hefty Fines for Stone Collection

If you’re planning a getaway to the Canary Islands, especially destinations like Lanzarote or Fuerteventura, it’s essential to be mindful of local laws, mainly when collecting souvenirs from the beach.

Picking up sand, stones, or rocks from protected beaches in these areas can result in hefty fines, ranging from £128 to a staggering £2,563. This law is in place to preserve these beaches’ natural beauty and integrity.

“Beware: Taking Souvenirs from Canary Islands’ Beaches Could6 Cost You Big”

“Know Before You Go: Beach Souvenirs Could Land You in Trouble in the Canary Islands”

These fines aren’t insignificant and could damage your holiday memories. The amount you might be fined depends on the quantity of sand or rocks you attempt to remove from the beach.

While collecting stones or sand might seem like a harmless tradition or hobby, it’s best to avoid it when visiting the Canaries. Reports indicate that the islands face challenges due to the loss of natural materials caused by tourists’ actions.

For instance, Lanzarote loses approximately a ton of natural material from its protected beaches annually, while Fuerteventura’s renowned “Popcorn” beach near Corralejo loses about a ton of sand each month.

Removing these materials disrupts ecosystems and threatens the environment, as noted by councillor Lola Garcia.

Tourists, especially Brits, caught taking stones from the “Popcorn” beach in Fuerteventura may face penalties ranging from £128 to £512 for a minor offence. Those caught with larger quantities could be fined up to £2,563.

This issue comes amidst complaints from residents about the strain caused by the increasing number of tourists visiting the Canary Islands each year.

Recently, tourists heading to Tenerife were warned about severe water shortages on the island. The Tenerife Island Water Council declared an emergency due to a drought, prompting government officials to intervene and enforce water conservation measures.

With increasing visitor numbers and ongoing pressure on services, there are concerns about potential systemic collapse. One notable example is a hotel reportedly consuming up to 400 litres of water per guest per day, a rate significantly higher than that of residents.

To mitigate the impact, sanctions have been introduced, including restricting drinking water for non-essential purposes like watering plants or filling swimming pools and reservoirs.