The Technical Office for the Protection of Sky Quality (OTPC) of the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics (IAC) is collaborating in advising on the implementation of energy efficiency and the reduction of light pollution in the port facilities of general interest of the public business entity Puertos Canarios.
The IAC is preparing verification reports on the exterior lighting of the Port of Las Nieves, in the municipality of Agaete in Gran Canaria; which will be followed by the Port of Vueltas in Valle Gran Rey, on the island of La Gomera, and the Port of Garachico, on the island of Tenerife. Puertos Canarios also manages the Lanzarote ports of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen, Órzola and Caleta de Sebo in La Graciosa.
Puertos Canarios held the first cycle of debate connecting professionals under the title, "The dark side of light", at the Elder Museum of Science and Technology in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The meeting was attended by one hundred and thirty representatives from public administration, business, the university and experts on the subject, who concluded on the consequences of light pollution in our cities: it affects astronomical observation, natural ecosystems and our health.
Federico de la Paz, a researcher at the IAC, recalled the importance of complying with the 1988 Sky Protection Law in every new project: "the challenge is for that Law to apply to the sky of all the Canary Islands".
Marta Tapias, from the association "Friends of the Shearwaters", warned that last year they collected nine hundred and eighty birds disoriented by the amount of light on the way to the sea: "also owls, bats, insects, as well as the Cory's shearwaters".
In just a few years, there has been a desire to light up the night; that is why the United Nations (UN) considers light pollution a subtype of air pollution.
The effects of artificial light on biodiversity are disastrous, but humans also suffer because circadian rhythms are not respected. Dermatologist Buenaventura Hernández stated that: "these alterations can favor the appearance of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, depression or Alzheimer's, as well as heart problems".
The Strategic Plan of the Autonomous Ports of the Canary Islands contemplates the evolution of its infrastructures towards intelligent eco-ports, which avoid pollution, evolving towards a transformation of the Starlight model, a type of certification for places that have passed an exhaustive astronomical audit on the quality of the sky and the means to guarantee its protection.
Puertos Canarios is a public business entity attached to the Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Mobility of the Government of the Canary Islands. It holds the management of 52 ports and maritime facilities in the Canary Islands autonomous community, with ports of general interest, shelters and breakwaters; as well as marinas, which are operated under a concession regime.