La Oliva Takes a Step Forward to Protect the Bristol Salt Marsh

The municipal council of La Oliva has approved a proposal to request that the Bristol Salt Marsh be declared a Scientific Interest Site (SIC) – a protection status that must be granted by the Government of the Canary Islands through a decree, following an opinion from the Island Board of Protected Natural Spaces of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura.

The initiative covers 29.49 ha stretching from the salt marsh itself through the Charco de Bristol to Punta de Corralejo, an area the council describes as one of the most singular ecosystems on Fuerteventura.

Protection Against Urban Pressure

The council’s communiqué lists the main threats to the area:

• Ongoing urban expansion plans
• Discharges and waste dumping
• Uncontrolled vehicle and pedestrian traffic
• Invasive species
• Noise and light pollution

Current urban‑planning regulations for northern Fuerteventura, the Subsidiary Norms of La Oliva, have earmarked several parcels of land for development for more than two decades. However, La Oliva has never advanced these partial plans because they lack the necessary island‑wide and regional qualifications.

150 Species of Flora and Fauna in Bristol

Just a few metres from Corralejo, beyond the tourist zone toward Majanicho and El Cotillo, lies a largely unknown natural space of great environmental value. Technical reports attached to the SIC dossier highlight:

• 69 plant species
• 89 bird species, many of them protected or threatened
• Habitats of community interest recognized by the European Union

The area also serves as a strategic stopover for migratory birds and hosts several endemic Canary Islands species.

The proposal seeks not only legal protection but also concrete actions:

• Environmental restoration measures
• Control of invasive species
• Regulation of public access
• Reduction of anthropogenic impacts
• Ongoing scientific monitoring

These actions are grounded in Law 4/2017 on Land and Protected Natural Spaces of the Canary Islands, which governs the declaration of SICs for sites with unique environmental values and protected species.

“A Unique Space in the Canary Islands”

“Protecting the Bristol Salt Marsh is a responsibility toward our natural heritage and future generations. We are talking about a unique space in the Canary Islands that has suffered continuous deterioration for many years and now must be preserved with full guarantees,” said Mayor Isaí Blanco.

“La Oliva cannot turn its back on one of the most valuable environmental enclaves of Fuerteventura. This proposal shows that conservation can advance through consensus, technical rigor, and institutional commitment,” Blanco added.

Councilor for the Environment David Fajardo emphasized: “Scientific reports make it clear that the Bristol Salt Marsh possesses exceptional natural values that fully justify its declaration as a Scientific Interest Site.”

He continued: “The dossier does not merely aim to protect the area on paper; it also outlines concrete restoration, invasive‑species control, access regulation, impact reduction, and continuous scientific follow‑up.”

What Is a Scientific Interest Site?

A Scientific Interest Site (SIC) is a category of protected natural area defined in Canary Islands legislation for relatively small, often isolated sites that contain elements of scientific interest, threatened animal or plant populations, or values requiring specific conservation measures.

The declaration is issued by the autonomous government via decree, after an opinion from the Island Board of Protected Natural Spaces. The decree must specify the natural values that justify protection and delineate the site’s boundaries.

For the Bristol Salt Marsh, the scientific interest lies in:

• Its saline coastal environment
• Flora adapted to arid coastal conditions
• Role as a key area for migratory birds
• Presence of EU‑designated community habitats

Second SIC on Fuerteventura After Jandía

Fuerteventura already hosts one SIC: the Playa del Matorral (Saladar de Jandía) in Morro Jable. Like the Bristol Salt Marsh, Jandía’s SIC is situated near a tourist hub yet has managed to avoid the urban pressure that has affected much of the island’s coastline.

In addition to being part of the Canary Islands Network of Protected Natural Spaces, the Jandía Salt Marsh has been a RAMSAR site since 2002, granting it international wetland recognition.

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The council’s proposal marks a decisive step toward safeguarding a fragile coastal ecosystem that supports a remarkable diversity of life and provides essential services for both wildlife and the local community.