El Hierro Coast to be Declared Area of Special Protection

The las Calmas area off the South-West coast of the Island of el Hierro, is to be designated an area of special Protection (SPA) by Ministerial order, after being affected by pollution from the stain created by the volcanic eruption over the last week.

SPA's are regarded as being under the protection of the crown, and intended to promote the conservation of migratory bird species, according to the draft that is available to the public by the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs .

The news SPA in the las Calmas area may not have affected the birds that nest on the ground, as they will look for food in deeper waters and not close to the coast, which is where the majority of the pollution has drifted, according to Antonio Lorenzo, from Tenerife SEO / BirdLife .

The ministerial order to comply with Law 42/2007 for Natural Heritage and Biodiversity . And the identification of SPA's comes "from an intense scientific work and earlier research." However, further research may result in new areas designated for the smae protection.

The new SPA will join the marine Natura 2000 network in Spain, a European system of biodiversity conservation.

Read further news stories about the El Hierro Volcano by clicking the link HERE .