Costas approves Jandía Salt Marsh renaturalization project

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, through the Department of Infrastructure, has obtained authorization from the Canary Islands’ Directorate General of Coasts and Maritime Space Management to carry out the “Renaturalization of the Jandía Saltern” project. Within a year, this protected natural area will be restored to its full condition, free of the old wastewater‑treatment plant structure.

Lola García, president of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, emphasized the importance of safeguarding the territory and its natural treasures. She highlighted that the initiative aims to preserve one of the most significant scientific‑interest sites in Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands as a whole: the Jandía Saltern.

“It is the only wetland in the Canary Islands that is part of the international Ramsar Convention for wetland conservation. Its environmental value is remarkable, making its protection and conservation a priority,” García added.

Blas Acosta, the island’s Infrastructure Counselor, praised the extensive efforts made with the Coast Authority and the satisfactory outcome.

“The residents of Morro Jable and the entire island should be proud that we have pushed forward a difficult but necessary project to recover an iconic natural space,” he explained.

The achievement of the Cabildo’s technical team and public managers before the Directorate General of Coasts is described as a “historic approval,” given that the project involves large‑scale earthworks within a protected natural area and the maritime‑terrestrial public domain.

Key technical actions include:

• Lowering the current elevation from +3.36 m to the natural level of +2.50 m.
• Removing 2,367.43 m³ of earth, while requiring 719.18 m³ of soil for back‑filling after the plant’s removal.

The plan, also supported by the Municipality of Pájara, consists of dismantling the wastewater‑treatment plant located in the Scientific Interest Site of Playa del Matorral, restoring the original elevation and geomorphology of the area, and achieving natural rehabilitation of the parcel—all within a maximum timeframe of one year.

According to the Coast Resolution, once the plant structure is removed, the site will be re‑vegetated with native species, specifically:

• Chenoleoides tomentosa
• Salsola vermiculata
• Tetraena fontanesii
• Three specimens of Tamarix canariensis

The resolution also notes that the project complies with the Coastal Law because its purpose is the natural restoration of the existing saltern. Consequently, it guarantees the integrity and good conservation status of the Maritime‑Terrestrial Public Domain, in line with Article 2 of Law 22/1988 (as amended by Law 2/2013) on the protection and sustainable use of the coastline.