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A powerful new documentary, Nika, the Pilot Whale, is raising awareness about the future of the Canary Islands. Through the eyes of a curious marine mammal, biologist and science communicator Felipe Ravina delivers a passionate call to protect the archipelago’s fragile environment, which he says is under increasing threat from poor planning, mass tourism, and overpopulation.
The film follows Nika, a tropical pilot whale living in the Teno-Rasca Special Conservation Zone (ZEC) off the southern coast of Tenerife, which is home to the largest resident population of her species, estimated at around 400 whales. According to Ravina, Nika’s unusually inquisitive behaviour sparks a sequence of remarkable events that draw viewers into her world, encouraging them to care deeply about her and her species.
Premiering in the Canary Islands after winning the Golden Barandilla at CimaSub, Spain’s leading marine film festival, and touring Germany and Austria as part of the Ocean Film Tour, the documentary combines breathtaking underwater cinematography with a hard-hitting message about the environmental mismanagement of the islands.
Ravina co-directed the film with José Hernández and credits years of work alongside fellow researchers Mirna Piñero and Sergio Hernández for capturing the stunning footage. Due to Spain's strict restrictions on filming marine mammals, their work required special permits from the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
At the heart of Ravina’s message is a stark assessment of the Canary Islands’ marine protection efforts, or lack thereof. "Marine protection here is sorely inadequate," he states. "Only three of the eight islands have marine reserves, and Tenerife still has none. After 20 years of promises, we're still waiting. Meanwhile, the resources for monitoring and enforcement are minimal, leaving marine animals in a state of chronic stress."
He points to overcrowded waters teeming with recreational boats, jet skis, and illegal fishing excursions as another major concern. Despite the growing marine traffic, the region has just one surveillance boat to patrol the area.
A particularly alarming issue raised in the documentary is the use of sewage pipes that discharge untreated wastewater directly into the ocean. Tenerife alone has over 200 such sites. Ravina warns of their devastating effects on marine ecosystems and public health, citing cases of people falling ill after swimming in contaminated waters. “These waters are full of bacteria, viruses and parasites,” he says, “and the testing systems are so slow that warnings often come too late.”
This environmental degradation, Ravina argues, is exacerbated by overpopulation and a government-backed boom in luxury tourism developments. He highlights the controversial Cuna del Alma project in Costa Adeje as a symbol of what he sees as a broken system: “They’re privatising public land, destroying ecosystems, and wiping out one of the last remaining villages in the south. Despite being halted three times for legal issues, the current government has moved heaven and earth to push it through.”
These frustrations culminated in April 2024, when the Canary Islands saw the largest environmental demonstration in their history under the banner "The Canary Islands Have a Limit." Ravina, one of the leading figures behind the protest, described it as a powerful message from the people demanding systemic change.
“It was an outcry from across the eight islands, calling for an end to uncontrolled development and the destruction of our land,” he said. “People are exhausted by political mismanagement, corruption, and the feeling that the place they love is being sold off piece by piece.”
As tourism continues to grow, Ravina warns that even the industry itself is at risk. The unchecked expansion and strain on infrastructure, he says, are transforming the islands into an unpleasant experience for visitors, with overcrowded beaches, degraded landscapes, and polluted seas. “Every year, more natural spaces disappear. The few that remain are overrun. If we don’t change course, we’re all going to lose — residents, wildlife, and tourists alike.”
Nika, the Pilot Whale is not just a tribute to one extraordinary animal — it is a passionate plea for the Canary Islands to protect what remains of its natural heritage before it is too late.
