gran canaria fines tourists protected natural areas

Gran Canaria fines over 220 tourists in protected areas

Gran Canaria cracks down on tourists in protected natural spaces

The Cabildo of Gran Canaria, through its environmental agents, has processed more than 220 penalty proceedings against tourists in protected natural areas during 2025 and the first half of this year. The vast majority of cases were recorded in the Maspalomas Dunes and the Nublo Rural Park.

In a statement, the island’s governing body detailed that last year, 151 penalty proceedings were opened against foreign visitors of various nationalities. Of these, 64.24 per cent had already been paid and closed, while more than 80 per cent had been properly notified to the individuals concerned.

These figures are supplemented by data from 2026, in which the Cabildo is currently processing 280 environmental infractions in protected areas, 75 of which relate to foreign nationals – representing nearly 27 per cent of the total.

Maspalomas Dunes and Roque Nublo bear the brunt

The natural spaces where the highest number of enforcement actions are concentrated are the Maspalomas Dunes Special Nature Reserve, with 43 interventions recorded so far in 2026, and the Nublo Rural Park, with 16. According to the Cabildo, these figures align with the heavy influx of visitors that both locations receive throughout the year.

Councillor for the area, Raúl García Brink, said: “Preserving our environment is an issue that must be integrated into the mindset of everyone who enjoys our landscapes – both those who live here and those who visit us.”

Reinforced surveillance and new conservation plans

The Cabildo of Gran Canaria, through its environmental agents, has reinforced surveillance and conservation efforts at the sites that see the highest visitor numbers throughout the year. These measures are aimed at protecting protected natural areas and promoting responsible and sustainable use of the island’s land.

The institution also reminds that it recently approved the development of the Natural Resources Management Plan (PORN) for the Maspalomas Dunes Special Nature Reserve. This instrument aims to safeguard and sustainably manage the 404-hectare site, curb coastal erosion, and reconcile the preservation of this unique ecosystem with tourist use.

Furthermore, in February 2025, a regulation and conservation plan was launched for the Roque Nublo Natural Monument, designed to organise and control access to this iconic natural landmark. According to the Gran Canaria Cabildo, the number of visits has already been reduced by 50 per cent in just one year.

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