Like every autumn, the Charca de Maspalomas and the Atlantic Ocean have been joined through the sand of the beach by a provisional channel built to revitalize the natural space.
In this way, during high tide, the Pond and the sea have remained at the same level with the entry of 20 million liters of water to the two hectares that the Pond occupies, with an increase of one and a half meters from its usual level. This renewal of water serves to promote oxygenation, reduce concentrated salinity and allow the arrival of fry of sea bream, guinea pigs, cabosos, mullets, pomfrets, eels, sardines and potbellies, which the birds that frequent and nest in the area feed on. . The president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, explained that the beach has experienced “a spectacle of nature” in an “embrace between the sea and the Pond” that has not been experienced for years. Likewise, he has reported that they have acted with the advice of the Cabildo's technicians and with "great precision" to make it possible for sea water to enter the Maspalomas Pond and "regenerate its water and ecosystem."
This union between the sea and the Pond has been achieved in a joint action by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria and the City Council of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, which have created a provisional conduit through a slight recess or valley in the sand that will disappear by itself. only due to the natural dragging of aggregates. This precision is necessary to prevent sand from penetrating that is invasive and affects the space, which is why “it is a great job” of exquisite delicacy.” With this action, fish will enter the pond and thus “increase life” in this natural space. Morales has declared himself “satisfied” with this intense work” which, together with other projects such as MasDunas, has allowed us to recover the values of this space, “a jewel visited by millions of people that must be protected and cared for.”
This work has allowed “the natural habitat of several species to be recovered”, some of them that “had not been seen before in the Charca de Maspalomas”, he said. The mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Concepción Narváez, has highlighted that this space “is a tourist and promotion reference” so “actions and measures will continue to be carried out to maintain and care for it”, as well as the Dunes, in a work of “value and protect” this point of Maspalomas. In addition, other actions are carried out through the Tourism Consortium, such as the renovation of the Meloneras promenade. “Despite the difficulties and the tourist stoppage,” the councilor said, the City Council continues to work for the “care and attention” of the municipality and in the most attractive points.
This moment has created curious images on the beach of Maspalomas, where bathers have taken the opportunity to take photos and swim in the Pond that communicated with the sea. This action has been possible after several years of waiting to eradicate the Mozambique tilapia from La Charca, an invasive species of African origin whose exit to the sea had to be avoided. This species can easily adapt to any habitat, cause imbalances in the marine ecosystem of the area and threaten echinoderms, a group to which starfish, urchins and sea cucumbers and other types of fauna belong.