Drago alleges Rosa del Lago complex will be built on two protected zones

Drago Canarias reveals that the Rosa del Lago tourist complex, currently under construction in the municipality of Puerto del Rosario on Fuerteventura, will directly affect two zones that contain protected heritage elements. Both sites—a cultural‑heritage asset and a paleontological site—are listed in the Municipal Protection Catalogue of Puerto del Rosario.

“The construction of Rosa del Lago will not only promote a mass‑tourism economic model that has proven obsolete, but it will also destroy part of Fuerteventura’s natural and cultural heritage,” said Aceysele Chacón, spokesperson for Drago Canarias in Fuerteventura.

“We are the only political force raising this issue,” Chacón continued. “It seems none of the parties in the Cabildo or the City Council are concerned. Drago Canarias is the only alternative for Fuerteventura to gradually regain its identity.”

Impact on the Ethnographic Site: Punta de La Tiñosa

The most significant impact will be on the Punta de La Tiñosa ethnographic complex, classified in the catalogue as having “integral protection” and “high ethnographic value.” The site comprises two large natural pools enclosed by masonry structures, historically used for low‑tide fish capture through the envarbascado technique, which employs the sap of tabaibas to narcotize fish for collection with wooden rods.

• The pools have been preserved through continuous local use, serving as a living testimony to ancient fishing methods and the human‑marine relationship.
• The catalogue notes that “the Rosa del Lago tourist complex poses a risk to its conservation” and recommends studying the site for possible designation as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC).

Impact on the Paleontological Site

The development will also affect a littoral deposit paleontological site, listed with integral protection. This deposit contains Holocene fossils dating back more than 11,000 years and lies within the 300 m stretch of coastline occupied by the new urbanization.

The catalogue describes the site as:

• “A highly significant part of the municipal natural heritage due to its uniqueness.”
• “A representative sample of this specific heritage, with abundant fossil species.”
• The Rosa del Lago project represents a medium level of threat to the deposit.

“The mayor of Puerto del Rosario recently said the Rosa del Lago project will include a seaside promenade,” Chacón added. “That promenade will run over both natural spaces, destroying them, depriving the island’s residents of access and the scientific community of study opportunities.”

The Ethnographic Asset

Beyond the fishing pools, the Punta de La Tiñosa area includes shellfish processing sites, walls, terraces, and stone structures—key elements for understanding the historical and cultural context of the island.

“It is essential to implement protection measures that prevent interventions that could alter or destroy this singular cultural landscape. Its conservation and valorisation are crucial for safeguarding the island’s cultural heritage,” the catalogue states.

The Paleontological Asset

The paleontological site is situated between the Casa Tía Cristina cove and Punta de La Tiñosa, covering 13.23 km². It rests on a coastal ridge of heterogeneous blocks (20–30 cm thick, 5–10 m wide) extending roughly 300 m longitudinally and contains abundant fauna.

According to the Municipal Catalogue, the site’s condition was good when recorded. It permits up to three compatible uses:

• Conservation activities such as cleaning and maintenance.
• Educational‑environmental activities that do not involve permanent installations and are compatible with preserving paleontological values.
• Recreational uses like hiking, shell‑fishing, and coastal fishing.

Construction of infrastructure or buildings is explicitly excluded.

The catalogue also recommends supportive measures, including:

• Detailed stratigraphic studies of the outcrop.
• Cartographic delimitation of the area.
• A municipal budget line from the Puerto del Rosario City Council for managing paleontological heritage, covering research, recovery, and valorisation funds.