Canary Islands to cut environment protection

THE Canary Islands are trying to cut protection given to half of its endangered species.

Despite protests from scientists and environmental groups, the autonomous government has introduced a draft law aiming to cut legal protection for various areas and species.

Regional environmental chief, Francisco Martín, defended the changes to the catalogue of protected species, which is based on a database maintained by the Canarian government.

Opponents believe that the real reason behind the changes lies with a court sentence that stopped construction of a giant port in Granadilla, Tenerife, because of the danger to the nearby seaweed beds.

The new catalogue would reduce protection for the algae, opening the door to a 380 million euro construction project.