The fishing industry in Garachico and Isla Baja is celebrating. For over ten years, fishermen have been requesting a suitable market at the sports and fishing dock, as the existing one had become too cramped and insufficient to accommodate the activities of the group, which consists of more than 25 vessels in the area.
Yesterday, this longstanding request was finally fulfilled with the expansion of the facilities, which also include the primary sales area, the offices of the Fishermen’s Guild of San Roque and Isla Baja, as well as a venue for social gatherings. The total investment reached 636,957 euros, funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), with contributions from the European Union and the Autonomous Community. However, the interior furnishings are yet to be completed, described as “minor details,” as stated by the senior patron of the Brotherhood, José Lucio León, during the inauguration ceremony attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Sovereignty, Narvay Quintero; the general director of Fisheries, Esteban Reyes; and the mayor, José Heriberto González.
The ground floor of the building features the fish reception area, which is accessible via three doorways from the street, leading to three refrigeration chambers: a silo that stores flake ice produced by a generator on the upper level, with a production capacity of 5,000 kilos in 24 hours; a second refrigeration room designated for storing fresh fish; and a deep-freezing chamber for various uses. Additional facilities include a restroom area and a staircase leading to the second floor, which houses the engine room.
During the site visit, the councillor emphasised the significance of these developments and announced that his department is already progressing towards the installation of a new travelift (a crane for vessels).
For his part, the mayor reminded everyone that Garachico “is the sole port in the North of Tenerife and we need to negotiate with Puertos Canarios to address other deficiencies, such as the two access routes, both by land and sea, as soon as feasible.”
