Beneath the crystal-clear waters of Anfi Beach, one of the most popular destinations in southern Gran Canaria, lies a silent threat: microplastics are already present in the marine organisms that inhabit its coastline. This is revealed by pioneering research by the ECOAQUA University Institute of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), which detected plastic remains in the stomachs of 67% of the Cronius ruber crabs collected from this beach.
This finding places Anfi del Mar as the site with the highest level of microplastic contamination among the four beaches studied: El Puertillo, La Laja, Playa de Las Nieves, and Anfi Beach. The species analyzed, the red swimming crab (Cronius ruber), is an invasive species introduced to the Canary Islands in 2016 and has been detected consuming plastic particles in its environment.
A microscopic enemy: textile fibers in the stomach
The study, published in the scientific journal Animals, identified that most of the ingested microplastics were textile fibers, with an average size between 0,5 and 0,7 millimeters. Rayon—commonly used in clothing—was the most common polymer, followed by polypropylene, acrylic, nylon, and polyester. Eighty-nine percent of the analyzed particles were blue or black fibers, primarily from domestic laundry.
Researchers warn of a direct correlation between pollution levels and proximity to unauthorized wastewater discharges. In the case of Anfi Beach, this is suggested as a possible cause of the high presence of microplastics in the samples analyzed.
Impact on the marine food chain
The EOMAR research group, responsible for the study, warns of the potential impact on the entire marine food web. These crabs feed on mollusks, fish, and invertebrates, which could lead to the transfer of microplastics to other levels of the food chain, with as yet unknown consequences for the health of marine ecosystems and, eventually, for humans.
"The presence of microplastics in an invasive species raises questions about its role as a vector of contaminants," explains researcher Sofía Huelbes, lead author of the study.
The case of Anfi: the tourist paradise under pressure
The beauty of Anfi Beach, famous for its white sand imported from the Caribbean and its artificial lagoon, contrasts with this new scientific data that turns the area into a hotspot for marine pollution in southern Gran Canaria. Although it is one of the most well-maintained and visited spots on the island, this report raises the need to review wastewater discharge and control systems, as well as sustainable tourism management.
Researchers used advanced methods such as alkaline digestion, filtration, and FTIR microspectroscopy to detect and classify plastics, as part of the ASTRESS project, led by researcher Alicia Herrera, which studies the cumulative impact of human pollutants such as plastics, chemicals, and noise on key organisms such as zooplankton and suprabenthos.
An urgent call for waste control and responsible use of textiles
The research addresses a fundamental problem: the widespread use of synthetic fibers and the lack of effective filters in washing machines and wastewater treatment plants. "A single load of laundry can release more than 700.000 microfibers that end up in the ocean," the scientific team points out.
The ULPGC report is more than a warning. It's a wake-up call for authorities, tourists, residents, and businesses in southern Gran Canaria. Anfi Beach remains an emblem of the Canary Islands' holiday paradise, but its seabed is beginning to tell a different story. A story of invisible fibers, silent pollution, and species that, although invasive, speak to a problem that already affects us all.
