A backpack rests on the seabed near a seagrass meadow, known in the Canary Islands as sebadal. The synthetic textile products with which it is made, make degradation very slow under natural conditions, but even slower with pressure, temperature and the lack of light at the bottom of the sea. Photo by Liam McGuire.

A backpack rests on the seabed near a seagrass meadow, known in the Canary Islands as sebadal. The synthetic textile products with which it is made, make degradation very slow under natural conditions, but even slower with pressure, temperature and the lack of light at the bottom of the sea. Photo by Liam McGuire.

Cleaning the seabed at Las Teresitas beach. According to the scientific community, plastics make up most of the garbage in the sea. Although plastics have brought important benefits to humanity, such as in the field of health and food safety, their inadequate management, their accumulation in the environment, and especially in the marine environment, cause serious problems. Understanding that the sea is not a landfill site is still a great challenge for the population today. Photo by Liam McGuire.

Cleaning the seabed at Las Teresitas beach. According to the scientific community, plastics make up most of the garbage in the sea. Although plastics have brought important benefits to humanity, such as in the field of health and food safety, their inadequate management, their accumulation in the environment, and especially in the marine environment, cause serious problems. Understanding that the sea is not a landfill site is still a great challenge for the population today. Photo by Liam McGuire.

An INNOCEANA volunteer collects a pipe of electrical wiring found in an underwater cleanup on the beach of Las Teresitas. Some electrical and electronic materials used as insulating liquids contain toxic products called polychlorinated bisphenyls or PCBs. These are organochlorine chemical compounds used for their thermal stability and their resistance to flammability. They were banned as of 1986 due to their adverse effects on health (very toxic and carcinogenic), although their persistence in the environment, and especially in the marine environment, makes orcas (Orcinus orca) the mammals with the highest concentration of this pollutant in the body. Photo by Liam McGuire.

An INNOCEANA volunteer collects a pipe of electrical wiring found in an underwater cleanup on the beach of Las Teresitas. Some electrical and electronic materials used as insulating liquids contain toxic products called polychlorinated bisphenyls or PCBs. These are organochlorine chemical compounds used for their thermal stability and their resistance to flammability. They were banned as of 1986 due to their adverse effects on health (very toxic and carcinogenic), although their persistence in the environment, and especially in the marine environment, makes orcas (Orcinus orca) the mammals with the highest concentration of this pollutant in the body. Photo by Liam McGuire.

Volunteer in a marine cleanup collects semi-buried garbage; This generates a large amount of suspended particles in the surrounding environment, making it difficult to see during the cleanup. The continuous sedimentation that occurs in the marine environment causes the garbage to remain buried or semi-buried as time passes, but that does not mean that it disappears. Photo by Liam McGuire.

Volunteer in a marine cleanup collects semi-buried garbage; This generates a large amount of suspended particles in the surrounding environment, making it difficult to see during the cleanup. The continuous sedimentation that occurs in the marine environment causes the garbage to remain buried or semi-buried as time passes, but that does not mean that it disappears. Photo by Liam McGuire.

A volunteer shows part of the marine litter collected at the bottom of the coast of Los Abrigos (Tenerife). During a short dive you can fill your hands with various plastic waste such as wet wipes, many of them are made with synthetic materials such as polyester or polypropylene, which will end up as microplastics after degrading and pose a great threat to the environment. Photo by Liam McGuire.

A volunteer shows part of the marine litter collected at the bottom of the coast of Los Abrigos (Tenerife). During a short dive you can fill your hands with various plastic waste such as wet wipes, many of them are made with synthetic materials such as polyester or polypropylene, which will end up as microplastics after degrading and pose a great threat to the environment. Photo by Liam McGuire.

A cleaning carried out on the coast of Los Abrigos (Tenerife) shows the arduous and meticulous work of volunteering. The human being forgets waste when they do not see it, but that does not make it disappear. An extreme case of a marine landfill is found in the Strait of Messina, between Sicily and the Italian peninsula, which has become the marine area with the highest density of garbage per square meter (more than 1,000,000 units of waste per km²). Photo by Liam McGuire.

A cleaning carried out on the coast of Los Abrigos (Tenerife) shows the arduous and meticulous work of volunteering. The human being forgets waste when they do not see it, but that does not make it disappear. An extreme case of a marine landfill is found in the Strait of Messina, between Sicily and the Italian peninsula, which has become the marine area with the highest density of garbage per square meter (more than 1,000,000 units of waste per km²). Photo by Liam McGuire.

The glass remains indefinitely in the sea, like this beer bottle photographed off the coast of Tenerife. The continuous and uncontrolled pouring of glass into the sea has generated a great impact over time. How long can a bottle last on a sandy bed? How many generations will it see pass? Photo by Liam McGuire.

The glass remains indefinitely in the sea, like this beer bottle photographed off the coast of Tenerife. The continuous and uncontrolled pouring of glass into the sea has generated a great impact over time. How long can a bottle last on a sandy bed? How many generations will it see pass? Photo by Liam McGuire.

In the last year, garbage collection at sea has revealed the existence of a new object to be collected: masks. Either by carelessness or intentionally, in an island system like the Canary Islands, it is very easy for masks to end up in our sea. The effects on the biota of this new residue that reaches the sea in a massive way around the world has yet to be studied, although most of the vast majority are made of plastic. Photo by Liam McGuire.

In the last year, garbage collection at sea has revealed the existence of a new object to be collected: masks. Either by carelessness or intentionally, in an island system like the Canary Islands, it is very easy for masks to end up in our sea. The effects on the biota of this new residue that reaches the sea in a massive way around the world has yet to be studied, although most of the vast majority are made of plastic. Photo by Liam McGuire.

A group of fish from the engode (anthropic feeding) of sea turtles in the sebadal lie dead without being eaten. It is a very common practice that has made the authorities have to take measures on different occasions in our archipelago. Feeding wild animals is a bad habit that causes problems in the behavior of the animal and problems for its health and that of humans. Zoonoses are infectious diseases that pass from an animal (usually wild) to a human, as has happened with the current pandemic that we suffer. Learning to live with other species, respecting their spaces and their own diet is vital to ensure the survival of all. Photo by Liam McGuire.

A group of fish from the engode (anthropic feeding) of sea turtles in the sebadal lie dead without being eaten. It is a very common practice that has made the authorities have to take measures on different occasions in our archipelago. Feeding wild animals is a bad habit that causes problems in the behavior of the animal and problems for its health and that of humans. Zoonoses are infectious diseases that pass from an animal (usually wild) to a human, as has happened with the current pandemic that we suffer. Learning to live with other species, respecting their spaces and their own diet is vital to ensure the survival of all. Photo by Liam McGuire.

A group of volunteers set out on an expedition to clean the bottom of the sea. The seabed has been a forgotten waste dump for many years, as it does not generate bad odors or landscape impact before our eyes. The cleaning work carried out by the non-profit volunteer is to be greatly appreciated. Perhaps in the near future a new job will become necessary: ​​the sweeper of the seas. If the city is cleaned, why not clean the sea that oxygenates us and gives us life? Photo by Liam McGuire.

A group of volunteers set out on an expedition to clean the bottom of the sea. The seabed has been a forgotten waste dump for many years, as it does not generate bad odors or landscape impact before our eyes. The cleaning work carried out by the non-profit volunteer is to be greatly appreciated. Perhaps in the near future a new job will become necessary: ​​the sweeper of the seas. If the city is cleaned, why not clean the sea that oxygenates us and gives us life? Photo by Liam McGuire.

It is estimated that only 20% of plastic marine litter comes from the sea, from activities such as maritime traffic and fishing. However, garbage such as ghost nets or fishing gear, which can cause entanglement, can be very harmful to biota. Marine turtles and mammals suffer the most from this inadequate waste management. Photo by Liam McGuire.

It is estimated that only 20% of plastic marine litter comes from the sea, from activities such as maritime traffic and fishing. However, garbage such as ghost nets or fishing gear, which can cause entanglement, can be very harmful to biota. Marine turtles and mammals suffer the most from this inadequate waste management. Photo by Liam McGuire.

The sebadales are seagrass meadows that make up a unique ecosystem. They are a productive nursery for many species of fish and marine invertebrates. They have a high environmental and economic value, so their conservation is essential. The diver observes a seba leaf in the water column. It is the only seba leaf found east of Los Abrigos (Tenerife), during a dive in which a healthy patch was expected to be found. Photo by Liam McGuire.

The sebadales are seagrass meadows that make up a unique ecosystem. They are a productive nursery for many species of fish and marine invertebrates. They have a high environmental and economic value, so their conservation is essential. The diver observes a seba leaf in the water column. It is the only seba leaf found east of Los Abrigos (Tenerife), during a dive in which a healthy patch was expected to be found. Photo by Liam McGuire.

A seahorse "rides" on a rest of synthetic rope attached to a feather. Seahorses have a very characteristic tail that allows them to anchor themselves to objects such as seba leaves to avoid the onslaught of currents. This seahorse adapts to the times in which he lived, selecting marine litter that may be useful. Photo by Julia Zafra.

A seahorse "rides" on a rest of synthetic rope attached to a feather. Seahorses have a very characteristic tail that allows them to anchor themselves to objects such as seba leaves to avoid the onslaught of currents. This seahorse adapts to the times in which he lived, selecting marine litter that may be useful. Photo by Julia Zafra.

Most of the garbage that reaches the bottom is forever forgotten by humans. Species adapt to their surroundings and there they build their communities, making a home out of garbage. Photo by Isa Peeters.

Most of the garbage that reaches the bottom is forever forgotten by humans. Species adapt to their surroundings and there they build their communities, making a home out of garbage. Photo by Isa Peeters.

The human being has many pending accounts with the environment, since it is the cause of most of the environmental disasters that surround us. An example is the nonsense of the excessive use of single-use plastics that end up in the ocean. But there is hope in 2021 for this problem: Directive 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council, on reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, ends the marketing of single-use plastic products, among them the straws. Does it make sense for a straw to be 5 minutes in your mouth and hundreds of years in the deep sea? Photo by Isa Peeters.

The human being has many pending accounts with the environment, since it is the cause of most of the environmental disasters that surround us. An example is the nonsense of the excessive use of single-use plastics that end up in the ocean. But there is hope in 2021 for this problem: Directive 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council, on reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, ends the marketing of single-use plastic products, among them the straws. Does it make sense for a straw to be 5 minutes in your mouth and hundreds of years in the deep sea? Photo by Isa Peeters.

The pots are passive artisanal fishing techniques that consist of introducing bait inside, generating a call effect on small fish, and these in turn on the larger ones. Forgotten or lost pots are a deadly weapon and cause an imbalance in the ecosystem, as they generate chained deaths as if it were a domino effect. Would you dare to say how long this pot has been next to the sebadal? Photo by Carlos Mallo Molina.

The pots are passive artisanal fishing techniques that consist of introducing bait inside, generating a call effect on small fish, and these in turn on the larger ones. Forgotten or lost pots are a deadly weapon and cause an imbalance in the ecosystem, as they generate chained deaths as if it were a domino effect. Would you dare to say how long this pot has been next to the sebadal? Photo by Carlos Mallo Molina.

The deficiencies in the water purification and regeneration systems mean that part of the waste that we dispose of through household drains ends up on our coasts, as we see in the Abades sebadal. Tampons and pads are, in part, made of synthetic fibers that degrade slowly, producing microplastics in the form of microfibers. This and other similar waste, such as ear buds (banned from marketing in 2021 if they contain plastic material) cannot be flushed down the toilet, and therefore can end up in the sea. Photo by Julia Zafra.

The deficiencies in the water purification and regeneration systems mean that part of the waste that we dispose of through household drains ends up on our coasts, as we see in the Abades sebadal. Tampons and pads are, in part, made of synthetic fibers that degrade slowly, producing microplastics in the form of microfibers. This and other similar waste, such as ear buds (banned from marketing in 2021 if they contain plastic material) cannot be flushed down the toilet, and therefore can end up in the sea. Photo by Julia Zafra.

An Urchin on the coast of Los Abrigos(Tenerife) lives with a wet wipe. The current crisis generated by the pandemic has led to an increase in the use of this product among consumers. Flushing wipes down the toilet not only causes clogging problems in sanitation, but also a serious environmental problem. Being made up of synthetic material, they break down into microfibers that may be bioavailable to some organisms such as filter species, which do very poorly. Photo by Carlos Mallo Molina.

An Urchin on the coast of Los Abrigos(Tenerife) lives with a wet wipe. The current crisis generated by the pandemic has led to an increase in the use of this product among consumers. Flushing wipes down the toilet not only causes clogging problems in sanitation, but also a serious environmental problem. Being made up of synthetic material, they break down into microfibers that may be bioavailable to some organisms such as filter species, which do very poorly. Photo by Carlos Mallo Molina.

Biofouling is the layer of living organisms that stick to surfaces found in the marine environment. To prevent its appearance, compounds are used that can be very harmful to the environment. This pot surrounded by biofouling, lies forgotten at the bottom of the waters of Porís, functioning as a lethal murder weapon for fisheries resources and biodiversity. Photo by Isa Peeters.

Biofouling is the layer of living organisms that stick to surfaces found in the marine environment. To prevent its appearance, compounds are used that can be very harmful to the environment. This pot surrounded by biofouling, lies forgotten at the bottom of the waters of Porís, functioning as a lethal murder weapon for fisheries resources and biodiversity. Photo by Isa Peeters.

Playa Grande, in the municipality of Arico, dawns with a blanket of microplastics on the sand. The influence of currents makes marine debris converge on this beach in the south of Tenerife, currently considered by researchers as a hotspot for the massive arrival of microplastics. Island systems are the most affected by this growing problem, which has led the IMPLAMAC project, led by the ULL, to set up an observatory that generates quantitative data on the arrival of microplastics on the coasts of the archipelagos of Macaronesia. Photo by Liam McGuire.

Playa Grande, in the municipality of Arico, dawns with a blanket of microplastics on the sand. The influence of currents makes marine debris converge on this beach in the south of Tenerife, currently considered by researchers as a hotspot for the massive arrival of microplastics. Island systems are the most affected by this growing problem, which has led the IMPLAMAC project, led by the ULL, to set up an observatory that generates quantitative data on the arrival of microplastics on the coasts of the archipelagos of Macaronesia. Photo by Liam McGuire.

The purification and regeneration of water is a pending subject as this outfall shows in the municipality of Abades (Tenerife). Returning the water to the sea in proper conditions is a moral duty on our part. For years it has been believed in the self-purifying power of rivers and oceans, but the carrying capacity of each medium must be introduced into the equation. Where is the limit? Photo by Alicia Rodríguez Juncá.

The purification and regeneration of water is a pending subject as this outfall shows in the municipality of Abades (Tenerife). Returning the water to the sea in proper conditions is a moral duty on our part. For years it has been believed in the self-purifying power of rivers and oceans, but the carrying capacity of each medium must be introduced into the equation. Where is the limit? Photo by Alicia Rodríguez Juncá.

Einstein already said that there are two infinite things, the universe and human stupidity, but he was not sure about the first. That phrase comes to mind when I contemplate this photo where a voluminous residue in the shape of a bathtub is found at the bottom of Montaña Amarilla, whose land part has been declared a Natural Monument since 2008. Photo by José Elías Conde.

Einstein already said that there are two infinite things, the universe and human stupidity, but he was not sure about the first. That phrase comes to mind when I contemplate this photo where a voluminous residue in the shape of a bathtub is found at the bottom of Montaña Amarilla, whose land part has been declared a Natural Monument since 2008. Photo by José Elías Conde.