The Cry for Help from Corralejo’s Fishermen
The fishermen of Corralejo have raised their voices in response to the pressing situation at the northern port of Fuerteventura. Following a winter filled with storms, heavy rain, and strong waves, these marine professionals are urgently appealing to the Canary Islands Government for immediate action to enhance the safety of the port facilities and avert what they believe could be a potential disaster.
Urgent Infrastructure Needs
At the heart of the collective’s demands is the need for a solid breakwater to protect their vessels during turbulent weather. According to those in the industry, this troubling weather pattern—a dramatic increase in storms and rough seas—has occurred with alarming frequency recently, threatening both the safety of the boats and the daily lives of individuals who work at the port.
Juan Francisco González Pérez, the president of the Corralejo Fishermen’s Brotherhood, expressed the sector’s concerns during an interview on La Voz de Fuerteventura on Radio Insular. He lamented, “The winter we are experiencing has not been seen in many years.”
Vulnerability of Port Facilities
The recent storms have starkly highlighted the vulnerability of the port’s facilities. “We are exposed to the possibility of a disaster at this dock,” González Pérez stated, emphasizing that the fishermen represent the needs of those working in the northern part of the island.
He noted that the initial breakwater, which was semi-floating, has long ceased to serve its protective role. “When a storm hit, it broke,” he recalled, explaining that this infrastructure is no longer capable of withstanding adverse sea conditions.
A Call for Robust Solutions
This has led the fishermen not just to seek repairs but to demand an entirely new and more robust structure. “We need a proper breakwater, like a concrete hammer that shields the dock area,” he underscored.
Risks During Southeast Storms
While there have been no grave accidents reported so far, anxiety among fishermen is palpable. The greatest risk arises primarily during strong southeast winds, which can create direct wave action in the port area.
In such conditions, fishermen warn that the potential for damage to docks or vessels tied up is significant. “So far, we have been lucky and nothing has happened,” González Pérez admitted.
Basic Service Deficiencies
Beyond safety, the fishermen also spotlight basic deficiencies that hinder both fishing operations and maritime tourism at the port. A major issue is the lack of a dedicated loading and unloading area. Currently, fishermen must transport ice, fuel, and boxes of fish along the entire dock, complicating essential daily tasks.
González Pérez remarked, “Some colleagues have to haul crate by crate to fill the boat with ice.”
The challenges are particularly acute during fishing campaigns, such as the tuna season. He recounted a particularly cumbersome instance last year involving a caught bluefin tuna, where “we had to juggle with a small crane just to get it off the boat.”
Essential Infrastructure and Amenities
Moreover, operational needs are not limited to loading and unloading. Fishermen are calling for basic services like restrooms for tourists visiting the facilities, booths for tour operators, and a gas station that allows for safe refueling without the hassle of transporting fuel in canisters.
Additionally, they request designated parking spaces for the professionals who work at the port daily. “Just like at the airport,” González Pérez compared while explaining the necessity for streamlined access for those engaged in work at the port.
“These are basic services that any port should have,” he insisted.
Seeking Dialogue with Authorities
The fishing community had previously issued public warnings about this situation several weeks ago through a statement, but they assert that they have yet to receive a response from the authorities.
Consequently, the fishermen are demanding a meeting with the Canary Islands Government’s Department of Infrastructure to discuss necessary upgrades for Corralejo’s port.
González Pérez also mentioned ongoing projects aimed at comprehensive improvements to the dock, pointing out that the sector has not been consulted regarding these planned actions. “We are neither for nor against the project because nobody has explained it to us,” he affirmed. “They should involve the sector that is present at the dock year-round.”
In the absence of a forthcoming meeting, the fishermen’s message remains clear: ensuring the safety of the port must be the top priority. “The safety of the men and women working here every day comes first,” González Pérez concluded.
