Swiss sportswear company penalised for filming without permission in Lanzarote

A Swiss sportswear company has been penalised by the Cabildo of Lanzarote’s Environment Department after filming promotional videos in protected areas of the island without permission.

The X-Bionic sportswear brand filmed footage in various highly vulnerable areas of the island, such as Caldera Blanca, the Famara cliffs and Pico Partido last year. They had no permission to do so, no drome permits and, according to the Cabildo “no intention of requesting them.”

The footage has been used in various social media campaigns, and remains viewable, in spite of the Cabildo’s demands for its removal. X- Bionic could face fines of up to €3,000 if the videos show that damage has been caused to the natural environment.

Francisco Fabelo, Cabildo Environment Councillor, claimed that the videos could create a “call effect”, making others think that filming in protected areas was legal.