Despite being the most remote of the Canary Islands and having the fewest means of access, La Graciosa does not escape mass tourism or damage to its natural heritage. So much so that in 2023 alone, around 300,000 people disembarked at the port of Caleta de Sebo.
A 2019 investigation already warned that tourist pressure on the eighth island promoted "environmental deterioration." However, no action has been taken so far.
In addition, its residents have repeatedly asked the institutions to work on the island's sanitation to eradicate its black wells that directly discharge and filter their sewage into this protected natural area.
The latest environmental attack suffered on the eighth island is being produced by some visitors who have decided to engrave their names on the stones of the coastline. These engravings are taking place on the small beaches located between the town of Caleta de Sebo and La Laguna de Bahía del Salado, an inland lagoon that forms with the rising tide. Dozens of names have been engraved on a wall composed of erosion material and the formation of dunes that are located in front of the coastline.
In the images taken by La Voz this past Thursday, you can see different names, surnames, initials and messages that passersby have left imprinted in this protected area. This space is part of the route used by tourists who walk from the town of Caleta de Sebo to the beaches of La Francesa or Montaña Amarilla.
In addition, there are different signs indicating that it is an area with a risk of collapse.
It should be remembered that La Graciosa is an island of public property in its majority, except for the land that belongs to the local population. In addition, it has different forms of protection and is part of the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park and the Lanzarote Biosphere Reserve. It is also a Site of Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area for Birds, so this type of action is prohibited.
