Cristina Camacho talks to us about one of the best seabeds in Europe and backs its conservation
Cristina Camacho, a marine advocate with experience in environmental projects such as the Canary Islands’ Sea Watchers network (Red de Observadores del Medio Marino en Canarias), a citizen science project, and the direction of underwater free-diving photography events, invites us to visit one of the best seabeds in Europe.
Cristina arrived in Lanzarote four years ago as a lover of underwater photography and was captivated by some of the most impressive marine life in the Atlantic, including vibrant reefs, underwater cliffs, schools of brightly coloured fish, among other species that make this natural habitat their home. On the Island of Volcanoes there are several areas of biodiversity declared Special Areas of Conservation (ZEC in Spanish).
The volcanic landscape of the island has created a unique and fragile ecosystem, which is home to a wide variety of marine species. Many of these creatures are vulnerable to extinction, so it is crucial that we protect them for future generations“.
Cristina tells us that she feels “a deep responsibility to help conserve the marine life of one of the most attractive tourist areas in Puerto del Carmen.“ Thanks to her profession as an underwater photographer, she has been able to educate visitors and lovers of the underwater world about the importance of protecting these ecosystems, their biodiversity, as well as the accessibility and good visibility of this special area that is unique in the Canary Islands and worldwide.
She adds that the conservation of the seabed is one of the main responsibilities of the public institutions of Lanzarote, and is also regulated by the European Union.
The seabed of Lanzarote is a unique space, not only in the Canary Islands but worldwide”.
The ZEConsciente project, in which Cristina is participating, was created to give visibility to this conservation programme. It involves creating a documentary in which biologists, divers, fishermen and students are given a voice in order to spread the word about what it means to be located inside the ZEC (SPA).
For our protagonist, a connoisseur of the seabed all over the world, this type of action must be in harmony with the awareness of all the inhabitants of the island and its visitors, since “we are talking about a place that is not only unique in the Canary Islands, but worldwide”.
“In the SPA areas, specific habitats and associated biodiversity are valued as coexisting with all the professional activities and with the enjoyment of all, enjoying a system of regulation that allows everyone to share the space without damaging its conservation”, says Cristina.
ZEConsciente project in Lanzarote
Since 2011, this coastal area of the island has been one of the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), which are areas designated by the European Union as of great environmental interest for the maintenance of biodiversity.
In Lanzarote there are currently 4 natural spaces that are within the SPA:
- Sebadales de La Graciosa: Sebadales are a type of marine ecosystem unique to the waters of Lanzarote. These underwater meadows of little Neptune seagrass are closely connected to sea urchins, but have a unique spiral shape that makes them easy to identify. Seagrass meadows play an important role in the marine ecosystem, and public institutions have made efforts to protect them.
- Los Jameos: One of the island’s main attractions is Los Jameos del Agua, a series of caves formed by an underground river that runs through the island. The caves are home to a variety of fish and corals, and have been designated as a protected area. Tourists are not allowed to swim or dive in the caves, and there are restrictions on proximity to the water.
- Sebadales de Guasimeta: These seagrass meadows are an important natural habitat for the island’s birdlife, as they are covered with shallow seawater and contain rich feeding grounds.
- Cagachico: Located in Lanzarote’s Puerto del Carmen, this is a protected area of the Canary Islands. The reserve covers an area of 6 hectares and is home to a wide variety of plant and marine species.
