The Christians The VIII Fish Fair has lived today, which has had its most relevant aspect in the butchering of a tuna of almost 70 kilos, with an important role of the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Mercedes. This activity seeks to value artisanal fishing as the most sustainable for the ocean and highlight the historical and cultural heritage that it has in the town. Throughout the afternoon and evening, between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., both the Old Pier and Plaza de La Pescadora have been the scene of multiple activities.
Around ten thousand people have participated throughout the afternoon, with more than 2,000 recipes made with tuna distributed by members of the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Mercedes and chef Pablo Pastor.
After cutting, recipes have been prepared such as a beautiful potato waffle with tuna or tuna in boiled mojo, as well as the preparation and tasting of a seafood stew in the style of the fishermen of The Christians.
Through these activities, the aim has been to make the fishing sector of the municipality visible, as well as to highlight and bring neighbors and visitors closer to the marine tradition of Los Cristianos, its history and intangible heritage.
In fact, tribute has been paid to two of the last fisherwomen, who have been given recognition by both the mayor Arona, José Julián Mena, and the councilor Leopoldo Díaz Oda, the president of the Brotherhood, Manuel Díaz, and Felix Melo, member of the organization.
The fair was held in the two spaces mentioned, Plaza de La Pescadora and Muelle Viejo, in the first of which the musical performance of the group Al Sur took place at 9:30 p.m., after which, at 7:30 p.m., the younger children can enjoy the storytelling “The sea makes the wave tidal”.
However, the set of activities began at 5:00 p.m., with the inauguration of an exhibition on marine animals of the Canary Islands, benefits of consuming fish, benefits of sustainable fishing, artisanal fishing, tips to maintain a healthy sea or material belonging to the brotherhoods of Fishermen of Tenerife and Our Lady of Mercedes. Between that same time and until 9:00 p.m., workshops were held for the whole family, on seabeds and on decoration with marine materials and various techniques.
The fair has been organized by the Economic Promotion area of the Arona City Council, with the collaboration of the brotherhood, in a project subsidized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries -through the Local Action Group of the Fishing Sector (GALP) “Coastal Action Group Association Zone 4 Island of Tenerife” for the application of Local Development strategies, aimed at increasing employment and territorial cohesion for the 2020-2021 period.
José Julián Mena: “A sustainable sea and coastline with artisanal fishing”
The mayor of Arona, José Julián Mena, thanked “the important involvement of residents and visitors in an activity that fills Los Cristianos with a seafaring flavor, in addition to highlighting the need for a sustainable sea and coastline, in which we value artisanal fishing which, in the case of Los Cristianos, is linked to the activity of the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Mercedes”.
