Cabildo commissions Tragsa to restore Jandía salt marsh
The Governing Council of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura has approved commissioning its own agency, Tragsa, to carry out the “Naturalization of the Jandía Salt Marsh” project. The initiative is part of the “Fuerte by Nature” programme, led by the Cabildo’s Tourism Department, supported by the Infrastructure Department, and financed by the Canary Islands Government’s Tourism Department together with the EU Next Generation funds.
The start of the naturalization works marks a long‑sought goal for the Cabildo and represents a milestone for southern Fuerteventura and its reputation as a sustainable tourism destination. With a one‑year execution period, almost €250,000 will be allocated to dismantle the old wastewater treatment plant on Playa del Matorral and to rehabilitate the entire area with native vegetation.
Marlene Figueroa, Tourism Councillor, says: “The Fuerte by Nature programme and the European funding that backs it allow us to tackle visually impactful projects that enhance our quality as a sustainable tourism destination and, moreover, provide a clear environmental benefit for the island and the quality of life of its inhabitants.”
Blas Acosta, Infrastructure Councillor, highlights the extensive efforts of Cabildo technicians before various administrations to intervene in a sensitive natural area such as the Jandía Salt Marsh, adding: “With today’s Council of Government agreement we move from paperwork to on‑the‑ground work to restore this iconic island space.”
The plan, drafted and defended by the Cabildo, involves large‑scale earthworks within a protected natural zone that lies in the maritime‑terrestrial public domain. Among other actions, the current elevation of +3.36 m will be lowered to the natural level of +2.50 m. A total of 2,367.43 m³ of soil will be removed, and 719.18 m³ of material will be needed to fill the void left after the installation’s removal.
Supported also by the Municipality of Pájara, the project calls for the dismantling of the wastewater treatment plant located in the Scientific Interest Site of Playa del Matorral, restoring the original elevation and geomorphology of the occupied area for natural rehabilitation of the parcel, all within a maximum timeframe of one year.
The commissioning of Tragsa, approved today by the Cabildo’s Governing Council, follows a coastal‑law resolution that validates the project. The resolution specifies that once the treatment‑plant structure is removed, the site “will be re‑vegetated with native species; in particular, Chenoleoides tomentosa, Salsola vermiculata, Tetraena fontanesii and three specimens of Tamarix canariensis.” It also notes that the project “complies with the provisions of the Coastal Law given its aim of natural restoration of the existing salt marsh; therefore, it guarantees the integrity and good conservation status of the Maritime‑Terrestrial Public Domain, in accordance with Article 2 of Law 22/1988, of July 28, on Coasts, as amended by Law 2/2013, of May 29, on the protection and sustainable use of the coastline.”