No response to sand fallout from Western Sahara

Senator Pedro San Ginés (Coalición Canaria) has demanded that the Spanish Government answer a report requested in August 2024 concerning the unloading of sand originating from Western Sahara at the state‑owned ports of Arrecife, Puerto del Rosario and La Luz between 2021 and 2024.

The original request

San Ginés asked for a detailed list of vessels that docked at those ports after departing from El Aaiún—or any other port in Western Sahara—carrying African sand for discharge. The information he sought includes:

• Names of the ships and the specific Canarian berths they used.
• Whether the imported sand underwent any sanitary controls to prevent the entry of pathogens.
• An explanation of the treatment applied to the sand, if any.

The law gave the State a one‑month deadline to reply. Fourteen months later, the request remains unanswered, despite growing concerns about the possible environmental and health impacts of these sand imports on the islands.

Parliamentary question on border controls

On the same day, San Ginés submitted a written parliamentary question to the central government, focusing on the staffing and operational status of the Border Inspection Post (PIF) in Puerto del Rosario.

He raised the issue after the cargo vessel Dura Bulk docked at the island’s port this week, unloading several tonnes of sand from El Aiún (Western Sahara) for local construction projects.

Key points of his concern:

• The PIF in Puerto del Rosario is still inactive, meaning that sand shipments can enter without the necessary border inspections.
• Fuerteventura lacks the personnel required to staff the post, preventing effective monitoring of incoming goods.

“It is the State, as the authority responsible for the PIF, that must guarantee that the appropriate controls are carried out effectively at the Canarian ports,” San Ginés emphasized.

What San Ginés is asking

• What is the current staffing level at the Puerto del Rosario Border Inspection Post?
• When is the PIF expected to become operational and start enforcing border controls on sand and other cargoes?

The senator’s inquiries highlight a broader demand for transparency and stricter oversight of material imports that could affect the health and environment of the Canary Islands.