The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, closed the event marking the 30th anniversary of the Canary Islands Marine Reserves of Fishing Interest, held at the Government Subdelegation headquarters in Tenerife.
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Spain's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has welcomed the management policies implemented for marine reserves, particularly by the Secretariat-General for Fisheries, to promote a sustainable fishing sector and support small-scale fisheries.
In this context, Minister Luis Planas took part in the anniversary event celebrating the Canary Islands Marine Reserves: 30 years of the La Graciosa and Northern Islets of Lanzarote Reserve and the La Restinga Reserve in El Hierro, as well as 25 years of the La Palma Reserve.
The Ministry has designated the State Maritime Fisheries Inspectors to carry out supervision and inspections, using state-of-the-art technological innovations tailored to each reserve. In the near future, smart cameras will also be introduced to help prevent illegal fishing activities.
Additionally, the Minister highlighted that fishermen's associations supported the creation of these marine reserves from the outset and promoted participatory management and planning.
"The management of the Network of Marine Reserves of Fishing Interest is a unique model of collaboration between small-scale fishing associations, scientists — who carry out essential research and monitoring work — and public administrations," he stated.
Finally, the Ministry will provide support and advice to fishermen to complete the digitalization process. The sustainable and profitable nature of the marine reserve model also helps promote generational renewal within the sector.
Forty years after the declaration of Spain's first marine reserve in Tabarca (Alicante) in 1986, Spain now has 12 marine reserves protecting more than 105,000 hectares.