Canary Islands: High fines for taking stones on the “Popcorn” beach. Tourists should actually be aware that the pebbles are part of the ecosystem and must be preserved.
In Lanzarote alone, there is a loss of 1,000 kilograms (about a ton) of natural materials from protected areas every year. The Coastal Law prohibits and criminalizes the extraction of rhodolites and other natural elements such as stones and sand from beaches. For small amounts that were stolen there is said to be a fine of 150 to 600 euros. For larger quantities, fines can reach up to 3,000 euros.