Manuel Díaz is the patron of the Brotherhood of Las Mercedes, in Los Cristianos, the one that has the most tuna boats on the island. He believes that the future of the sector is marked by “the quotas that prevent us from improving.”
Is it hard to be a fisherman?
The reality of this sector is that of hard work, which is less and less compensated, and whose future is marked by quotas that do not allow us to get ahead.
Introduce yourself.
I am 59 years old, I was born in Los Abrigos (Granadilla de Abona) and I have been dedicated to this all my life. My son Sergio, who is also a fisherman, is now in the fifth generation of the family. That concept, the family, is the one that prevails.
What characteristics does the brotherhood of Los Cristianos have?
It is one of the important ones on the island. 57 boats with about 270 crew members are based here. In addition to these direct jobs, the indirect ones reach a few hundred more. It covers from El Médano to La Caleta de Adeje.
How has the tuna harvest gone this year, in general, and the red tuna harvest in particular?
A little better than 2021, but last year’s was the worst in history. It has not reached a month since the deadline was opened on February 7 and the bluefin tuna quota has already run out. Very scarce, by the way, 527 tons for 246 ships. In both of mine we captured 3,080 kilos. We export the vast majority of the product to the Peninsula. Almost all of us have exclusive rights to marketing with Islatuna (a company located in the Dársena Pesquera de Santa Cruz) that supplies Mercamadrid. The average sale price at the foot of the boat is seven euros per kilo. It is a quality fish, very clean, because our waters are ideal for its development. The average weight grows because it preys a lot. From 250 kilos to about 270.
What happens if not all the fish in the quota is caught?
That’s normal. Last year they were about one hundred tons and this year they are expected to be between sixty and seventy. At the beginning of June, a count is made and with what is left, a so-called Olympic fishing is done. It is free during those days, until the 14th.
Is the artisanal condition of the fleet not taken into account?
The Canarian fishing fleet and, therefore, Tenerife is practically entirely artisanal. One man, one hook. He takes precedence over the purse-seine boats over which we defend the environment with traditional fishing.
Will you like the tuna?
(Smile). Well, the truth is no. It has a very strong flavor.
What is the future of the sector?
One of the keys to the eternal crisis in the sector is the quotas, how much can be fished. If they do not open their hand in the quotas, the fleet is on the way to scrapping because the base of 80% is tuna fishing. We ask to be able to take more quantity and for a longer time until September or October, so as not to block the price in the market.
If I were born again, would I be a professional fisherman again?
We fishermen are passionate about our work despite all the difficulties and that the sea is sometimes unrewarding. I didn’t want it for my children, but now I have one in this trade. If I were born again I would be a fisherman again. Without a doubt.
